The Boston Red Sox have inserted some lefties against Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez.
Brock Holt, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Daniel Nava are among those slotted into the Red Sox’s starting lineup for Saturday’s game at Safeco Field. Holt (right field) and Bradley (center field) will patrol Boston’s outfield, while Nava will start in place of struggling first baseman Mike Napoli.
Holt will bat leadoff with Mookie Betts out of the lineup. Bradley, who is hitless in nine major league plate appearances this season, will round out the Red Sox’s lineup, batting out of the No. 9 spot.
Hernandez has been his usual dominant self for the Mariners this season. The right-hander enters Saturday’s contest — the third of four games between the clubs — with a perfect 6-0 record, a 1.85 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP in seven starts.
The Red Sox will counter with Rick Porcello, who allowed three runs on nine hits over five innings in a no-decision against the Oakland Athletics his last time out. Porcello has played the role of stopper a couple of times this season, and he’ll face a tall task Saturday on the heels of Friday’s walk-off loss.
The complete lineups for Saturday’s Red Sox-Mariners matchup are below.
RED SOX (17-19)
Brock Holt, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, LF
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Daniel Nava, 1B
Blake Swihart, C
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Rick Porcello, RHP (3-2, 4.50 ERA)
MARINERS (16-19)
Seth Smith, LF
Brad Miller, DH
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nelson Cruz, RF
Kyle Seager, 3B
Logan Morrison, 1B
Dustin Ackley, CF
Chris Taylor, SS
Jesus Sucre, C
Felix Hernandez, RHP (6-0, 1.85 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Tommy Gilligan/USA TODAY Sports Images
