After starting the 2015 season against the National League, the Boston Red Sox are returning to familiar territory to take on the rival New York Yankees.
The Sox travel to the Bronx on Friday night to kick off a weekend series against the Yankees. Boston will do so without the services of right fielder Shane Victorino, who will get the night off for the second time in four games. Daniel Nava will take Victorino’s place, batting eighth.
Boston is back in American League play, meaning David Ortiz is in the lineup as a designated hitter, while Mike Napoli will play first base and bat sixth. The Yankees’ designated hitter will be Alex Rodriguez, who moves up to third in the order after launching his first homer of the season Thursday.
The Red Sox will feature a new battery combination, as recently acquired catcher Sandy Leon will bat ninth and team up with left-hander Wade Miley. Miley is making his Boston debut after going 8-12 with a 4.34 ERA for the Arizona Diamondbacks last season. He’ll be opposed by New York righty Nathan Eovaldi, who went 6-14 with a 4.37 ERA with the Miami Marlins last season.
Check out both full lineups below.
RED SOX (2-1)
Mookie Betts, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, LF
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Mike Napoli, 1B
Daniel Nava, RF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Sandy Leon, C
Wade Miley, LHP (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
YANKEES (1-2)
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Brett Gardner, LF
Alex Rodriguez, DH
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Brian McCann, C
Chase Headley, 3B
Chris Young, RF
Stephen Drew, SS
Gregorio Petit, 2B
Nathan Eovaldi, RHP (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
