Victor Martinez is back in the lineup, but Dustin Pedroia will remain in the No. 3 spot in the order.
As a result, with J.D. Drew batting second, Martinez will slide into the fifth spot in the lineup. Mike Lowell, starting for the second consecutive game at DH, will bat sixth.
Pedroia's actually been less effective while batting third this year, as the below numbers show:
- Batting second: .354 average, four doubles, five home runs, 13 RBIs, three walks, eight strikeouts in 48 at-bats
- Batting third: .143 average, one double, no homers or RBIs, two walks, one strikeout in nine at-bats
With Martinez slumping (.250 BA, .276 OBP), Pedroia's still the better option at this point in the season.
In regards to Lowell, Terry Francona hinted after Wednesday's win that he would likely get another start in place of David Ortiz. Lowell hit a solo home run on Wednesday.
The Sox' lineup is below:
1. Marco Scutaro, SS
2. J.D. Drew, RF
3. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
4. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
5. Victor Martinez, C
6. Mike Lowell, DH
7. Adrian Beltre, 3B
8. Darnell McDonald, CF
9. Bill Hall, LF
