The Boston Red Sox are looking to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Toronto Blue Jays, and they’ll do so after mixing up the roster a bit.
Outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. received a call-up from Triple-A Pawtucket on Sunday, while the struggling Allen Craig was optioned to the PawSox. Bradley was hitting .343 with nine doubles, nine RBIs and a home run in 24 games for the minor-league club, and he’ll slide into the No. 8 spot in the order. Manager John Farrell said Sunday that Bradley will split time in right field with Shane Victorino, per The Boston Globe’s Pete Abraham.
Knuckleball pitcher Steven Wright also was called up from the PawSox on Sunday, while left-handed reliever Robbie Ross Jr. was sent down.
Clay Buchholz is on the mound for the Red Sox and certainly is looking to get into a groove, as his first six starts have been all over the place. The right-hander pitched seven shout out innings in his Opening Day start, but he’s already failed to get past the fourth inning in two outings. Buchholz gave up five earned runs in his last start against the Tampa Bay Rays on May 4, but he did manage to go 6 1/3 innings while striking out seven.
Check out the lineups for both teams below.
RED SOX (13-17)
Mookie Betts, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, LF
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Mike Napoli, 1B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Jackie Bradley Jr., RF
Sandy Leon, C
Clay Buchholz, RHP (1-4 6.03 ERA)
BLUE JAYS (16-15)
Devon Travis, 2B
Josh Donaldson, 3B
Jose Bautista, DH
Edwin Encarnacion, 1B
Kevin Pillar, CF
Chris Colabello, LF
Ezequiel Carrera, RF
Josh Thole, C
Ryan Goins, SS
R.A. Dickey, RHP (1-3, 4.38 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
