The Boston Red Sox will rely on a fairly standard starting lineup to salvage a split of their four-game series against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington.
Xander Bogaerts will return to shortstop as Boston looks to rebound from back-to-back losses. Bogaerts, who was drilled on the left forearm by a pitch in Thursday’s series opener, played Friday but sat out Saturday’s 8-0 loss.
Brock Holt played shortstop in Bogaerts’ absence Saturday and committed two throwing errors. The versatile utility man will sit for the first time this series to begin the finale.
Sandy Leon earned the start behind the plate Saturday, but rookie Blake Swihart will return to the lineup against Wandy Rodriguez and Co. Swihart has been swinging the bat well of late.
Joe Kelly will toe the rubber for Boston in arguably his most important start this season. The right-hander is battling for a spot in the Red Sox’s rotation and is tasked with ending a disappointing road trip on a positive note. Boston has lost five of six games on the trip so far.
The complete lineups for Sunday’s Red Sox-Rangers matchup are below.
RED SOX (22-28)
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Mookie Betts, CF
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, LF
Mike Napoli, 1B
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Blake Swihart, C
Rusney Castillo, RF
Joe Kelly, RHP (1-4, 6.24 ERA)
RANGERS (25-25)
Delino DeShields, LF
Shin-Soo Choo, RF
Prince Fielder, DH
Adrian Beltre, 3B
Mitch Moreland, 1B
Elvis Andrus, SS
Leonys Martin, CF
Carlos Corporan, C
Hanser Alberto, 2B
Wandy Rodriguez, LHP (2-2, 3.60 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Brad Rempel/USA TODAY Sports Images
