BOSTON — The Cleveland Indians might think twice before pitching around Jackie Bradley Jr. on Sunday.
The Red Sox center fielder extended his hitting streak to 26 games Saturday despite being walked three times (twice intentionally) in Boston’s 9-1 win. Bradley batted seventh in that contest, but manager John Farrell has bumped him up to sixth for the Red Sox’s series finale against Cleveland at Fenway Park.
Hitting behind Bradley at No. 7 will be third baseman Travis Shaw, who hit two doubles Saturday and is batting .313 on the season.
Christian Vazquez, batting ninth, will return behind the plate to catch right-handed starter Rick Porcello, who looks to bounce back after his roughest outing of the season Tuesday against the Kansas City Royals.
Blake Swihart will return to his new post in left field and bat eighth, but with catcher Ryan Hanigan day-to-day with a left hand injury, Swihart also could be an emergency option at catcher should anything happen to Vazquez.
The Sox will face one of the hottest pitchers in baseball in Indians starter Danny Salazar, who has allowed a total of four runs over his last four starts while striking out 35.
Check out both full lineups below.
RED SOX (26-17)
Mookie Betts, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, 1B
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Travis Shaw, 3B
Blake Swihart, LF
Christian Vazquez, C
Rick Porcello, RHP (6-2, 3.51 ERA)
INDIANS (22-18)
Carlos Santana, DH
Jason Kipnis, 2B
Francisco Lindor, SS
Mike Napoli, 1B
Jose Ramirez, LF
Yan Gomes, C
Lonnie Chisenhall, RF
Juan Uribe, 3B
Rajai Davis, CF
Danny Salazar, RHP (4-2, 1.80 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
