The Boston Red Sox’s second visit to a National League ballpark this season means a day off for David Ortiz.
The designated hitter will take a seat for Wednesday’s series opener against the Atlanta Braves, with Mike Napoli handling the first baseman duties. Manager John Farrell said on WEEI’s “Dale & Holley” that Ortiz will start at first Thursday for the finale of the brief two-game series.
Taking over Ortiz’s usual No. 3 spot in the order will be shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who made his major league debut as a cleanup hitter in Tuesday’s 9-4 win over the Braves at Fenway Park. Bogaerts went 2-for-4 with an RBI in that game to raise his batting average in the month of June to .345.
Dustin Pedroia and Hanley Ramirez both make their returns to the lineup — batting leadoff and cleanup, respectively — after injuries forced them to sit out Tuesday’s win. Brock Holt, who hit for the cycle as Pedroia’s fill-in at second base and atop the order, shifts down to the No. 2 hole and gets the start in right field.
Here are the full starting lineups for both teams:
RED SOX (28-38)
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Brock Holt, RF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Hanley Ramirez, LF
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Mike Napoli, 1B
Mookie Betts, CF
Blake Swihart, C
Joe Kelly, RHPÂ (2-4, 5.45 ERA)
BRAVES (31-34)
Jace Peterson, 2B
Cameron Maybin, CF
Freddie Freeman, 1B
Nick Markakis, RF
Juan Uribe, 3B
Kelly Johnson, LF
A.J. Pierzynski, C
Pedro Ciriaco, SS
Alex Wood, LHPÂ (4-4, 3.56 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Gregory J. Fisher/USA TODAY Sports Images
