BOSTON — The Red Sox really could use a win Wednesday in their last home game for a while.
After dropping the first two games of their series against the Detroit Tigers, the Red Sox close out the three-game set with an afternoon contest at Fenway Park before embarking on an 11-game West Coast road trip.
They’ll take the field without Hanley Ramirez, who is getting the day off. Travis Shaw will take Ramirez’s place at first base and bat seventh, while Aaron Hill will get the start at third base and bat sixth.
Eduardo Rodriguez will take the mound for Boston seeking to build on quality starts in each of his last two outings. The 23-year-old left-hander has allowed just three earned runs in 12 2/3 innings since being recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket and struck out a season-high eight batters in his last outing against the Minnesota Twins.
Sandy Leon will catch Rodriguez and bat eighth, while Ryan Hanigan will be available as an emergency backup as he recovers from flu-like symptoms.
Rodriguez faces a strong counterpart in Tigers right-hander Michael Fulmer, who is having an excellent rookie season at 9-2 with a 2.41 ERA. Detroit hasn’t lost a game Fulmer has pitched since June 17.
RED SOX (55-43)
Mookie Betts, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
David Ortiz, DH
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Aaron Hill, 3B
Travis Shaw, 1B
Sandy Leon, C
Brock Holt, LF
Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP (2-4, 6.70 ERA)
TIGERS (53-48)
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Jose Iglesias, SS
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
Nick Castellanos, 3B
Justin Upton, LF
Mike Aviles, RF
James McCann, C
Tyler Collins, CF
Michael Fulmer, RHP (9-2, 2.41 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
