When you hammer out nine runs on 10 hits against one of the American League's best starters, why not stick with the formula?
That's what the Red Sox are doing in the opener of a three-game series with Toronto on Monday. They will have the same lineup that took out some frustrations against Yankees righty A.J. Burnett on Sunday night, coasting to a 10-3 win.
David Ortiz is the designated hitter against Blue Jays right-hander Brandon Morrow. The Boston slugger is 1-for-3 with a home run and a walk in his career against the 25-year-old.
Dustin Pedroia has also enjoyed some success facing Morrow. He is 3-for-7 with a homer and a double. Victor Martinez is 2-for-2 against the righty.
Toronto enters leading the AL in both home runs (50) and doubles (90), but is hitting just .240 as a team and its OBP of .312 ranks 12th.
Among the Jays starters against John Lackey, designated hitter Adam Lind has had the best results. Lind is 4-for-6 with a pair of doubles against the Boston starter.
Second baseman Aaron Hill and center fielder Vernon Wells, the No. 2 and 4 hitters for Toronto, are a combined 6-for-33 (.182) with seven strikeouts.
Here are the complete lineups for both teams:
Red Sox
Marco Scutaro, SS
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Victor Martinez, C
Kevin Youkilis, 1B
J.D. Drew, RF
David Ortiz, DH
Adrian Beltre, 3B
Jeremy Hermida, LF
Darnell McDonald, CF
Blue Jays
Fred Lewis, LF
Aaron Hill, 2B
Adam Lind, DH
Vernon Wells, CF
Lyle Overbay, 1B
Alex Gonzalez, SS
Jose Bautista, 3B
John Buck, C
Travis Snider, RF
