With the Texas Rangers throwing tough left-hander C.J. Wilson on Sunday, the Red Sox will feature seven straight right-handers in their lineup.
The configuration against Wilson, who has limited lefties to a .103 average this year, gives David Ortiz and J.D. Drew a day off. Mike Lowell takes Ortiz's spot at designated hitter for the 10th time this season, and Darnell McDonald plays right field for the 24th time, the 12th as a starter.
The shuffle moves Victor Martinez to first and gives Jarrod Saltalamacchia his second start behind the plate with the Red Sox. Saltalamacchia, a switch-hitter like Martinez, was traded from Texas to Boston on July 31.
Wilson has defeated the Sox twice already this year. The collection of Boston starters on Sunday are a combined 13-for-59 (.220). Aside from Adrian Beltre, who is 6-for-16, each Red Sox hitter in the starting lineup is .231 or worse vs. Wilson.
Here is the complete Boston starting nine:
Marco Scutaro, SS
Darnell McDonald, RF
Victor Martinez, 1B
Adrian Beltre, 3B
Mike Lowell, DH
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Bill Hall, 2B
Ryan Kalish, CF
Eric Patterson, LF