The Boston Red Sox will look to keep the good times rolling Friday night at Fenway Park, although they’ll have to do it without one of their usual faces in the lineup.
The Sox tied their season-high winning streak with their fourth straight victory Thursday night, as they topped the Texas Rangers 6-2 for a series sweep. But they also lost second baseman Dustin Pedroia after the fifth inning due to left knee soreness.
Boston manager John Farrell said Pedroia was removed for precautionary reasons, but he won’t start Friday’s game against the Seattle Mariners. Instead, Josh Rutledge will get the nod at second base and bat sixth.
The Red Sox, meanwhile, will turn to left-handed starter Eduardo Rodriguez, who has been one of their most consistent pitchers this season. Rodriguez sports a 3-1 record and 3.10 ERA, and he’s pitched at least six innings while allowing three or fewer runs in each of his last six outings.
Here are the full lineups for Friday’s Red Sox vs. Mariners game.
RED SOX (25-21)
Mookie Betts, RF
Andrew Benintendi, LF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Hanley Ramirez, DH
Mitch Moreland, 1B
Josh Rutledge, 2B
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Christian Vazquez, C
Deven Marrero, 3B
Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP (3-1, 3.10Â ERA)
MARINERS (21-27)
Jean Segura, SS
Guillermo Heredia, CF
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nelson Cruz, DH
Kyle Seager, 3B
Danny Valencia, 1B
Taylor Motter, LF
Ben Gamel, RF
Mike Zunino, C
Yovani Gallardo, RHP (2-4, 5.84 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
