The big guns will return to the Boston Red Sox’s lineup Monday night as they open a three-game series against the American League East-leading Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park.
Both David Ortiz and Mike Napoli will play against the O’s after sitting out Sunday’s 3-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. While Big Papi’s absence was just a routine day off, Napoli’s came because of an illness he was battling.
Although Napoli seems to be back at full health, the same can’t be said for Brock Holt, who will miss his third consecutive game as he presumably still battles sickness.
Mookie Betts again will fill in for Holt atop the Sox’s batting order and man center field, with Yoenis Cespedes — who is batting .356 over his last 14 games — returning to left and Daniel Nava rounding out the outfield in right.
Right-hander Joe Kelly will toe the rubber for Boston, as he makes his first career start against Baltimore. Kelly is coming off his first win in a Red Sox uniform, allowing just three runs on five hits with six strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings in a 9-4 win over the New York Yankees.
See the Red Sox’s full lineup below.
Boston Red Sox (63-80)
Mookie Betts, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Yoenis Cespedes, LF
Mike Napoli,1B
Daniel Nava, RF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
David Ross, C
Joe Kelly, RHP (1-1, 3.89 ERA)
Baltimore Orioles (83-59)
Nick Markakis, RF
Alejandro De Aza, LF
Adam Jones, CF
Nelson Cruz, DH
Chris Davis, 3B
Steve Pearce, 1B
Caleb Joseph, C
Ryan Flaherty, SS
Jonathan Schoop, 2B
Miguel Gonzalez, RHP (8-7, 3.38 ERA)
