If there's one good thing that comes from the slew of recent injuries, it's that it's always exciting to guess what the lineup card will read before each game.
Sunday's match between the Orioles and Red Sox is no different, with three different players in from Saturday's 9-3 whooping of Baltimore. Darnell McDonald will hit out of the second spot and will start in center field for Mike Cameron, who is battling a taxing abdominal strain.
Bill Hall is back at second base, reclaiming his spot from Eric Patterson. Hall will hit seventh.
Gustavo Molina, hitting ninth, just called up from Triple-A in response to the injuries of roster usuals Victor Martinez and Jason Varitek, will get his first major league start. He pinch hit in Wednesday's game against Tampa Bay after Varitek was forced to leave the game with a broken bone in his foot. Molina also benefited from some good fortune, as the No. 1 and No. 2 catchers at Triple-A Pawtucket, Mark Wagner and Dusty Brown, respectively, are both out with injury. In 26 games for the PawSox this season, Molina is hitting .239 with three homers and seven RBIs. He's been in the minors for 10 years as a part of five different clubs.
Once again, Adrian Beltre and J.D. Drew have switched spots in the lineup, with Beltre getting the start at the five-spot in Sunday's game. John Lackey will start on the mound for the Sox.
Only two Orioles have had decent success against Lackey. Right-fielder Nick Markakis is hitting .304 in 23 at-bats, while Miguel Tejada is .333 in 18 tries. Both batters have only managed two RBIs in those hits, though.
Here are the starting lineups for both teams:
Red Sox
Marco Scutaro, SS
Darnell McDonald, CF
David Ortiz, DH
Kevin Youkilis, 1B
Adrian Beltre, 3B
J.D. Drew, RF
Bill Hall, 2B
Daniel Nava, LF
Gustavo Molina, C
Orioles
Corey Paterson, LF
Miguel Tejada, DH
Nick Markakis, RF
Ty Wigginton, 1B
Adam Jones, CF
Josh Bell, 3B
Scott Moore, 2B
Craig Tatum, C
Cesar Izturis, SS
