Red Sox manager Terry Francona is definitely earning his money this season.
For Friday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles, the Red Sox will have another new lineup combination.
J.D. Drew returns to the starting nine, and newly acquired catcher Kevin Cash makes his Boston season debut. Drew, who was scratched from Wednesday’s game against Tampa Bay, will start in right field and bat in the six spot against the Orioles. Cash gets his first start behind the plate in a Red Sox jersey since 2008, and will bat in the nine hole. Cash has batted .204/.333/.271 for the Houston Astros this season.
Cash was acquired by the Sox on Thursday for infielder Angel Sanchez, and most figured the backstop would serve as the backup for Jason Varitek. Since the trade, Varitek has been added to Boston’s already lengthy disabled list, and Cash has moved into the starting position. Cash has caught starting pitcher Tim Wakefield in the past, as Cash replaced Doug Mirabelli during the 2007 season.
Wakefield is looking for his first win at home this season. The knuckleballer is 0-4 with a 6.51 ERA at Fenway Park.
The Red Sox lineup is ready to capitalize against Baltimore starter, Brad Bergesen, who enters the matchup with a 3-4 record and a 6.83 ERA on the year. Marco Scutaro, Adrian Beltre, David Ortiz and Drew all have lifetime averages of .333 or above against Bergesen.
Baltimore is counting on right fielder Nick Markakis (.301 BA, 25 RBIs) and first baseman Ty Wiggington (42 RBIs, 14 HR) to ignite the team’s offense. Markakis is starting in the three spot, while Wiggington will bat cleanup.
Here are the lineups for both teams:
Red Sox
1. Marco Scutaro, SS
2. Eric Patterson, LF
3 .David Ortiz, DH
4. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
5. Adrian Beltre, 3B
6. J.D. Drew, RF
7. Bill Hall, 2B
8. Mike Cameron, CF
9. Kevin Cash, C
Orioles
1. Corey Patterson, LF
2. Miguel Tejada, 3B
3. Nick Markakis, RF
4. Ty Wigginton, 1B
5. Adam Jones, CF
6. Matt Wieters, C
7. Josh Bell, DH
8. Julio Lugo, 2B
9. Cesar Izturis, SS
