When the Red Sox envisioned back in March playing in critical games late in the season they likely saw Dustin Pedroia manning second base. Instead, in what some are viewing as a do-or-die contest Sunday night in Tampa Bay, Yamaico Navarro will make his second career start in Pedroia's place.
No disrespect to the 22-year-old prospect, but it speaks volumes to the situation Boston finds itself in.
Navarro, who is 1-for-8 in his short time with the Sox, will bat ninth against Tampa Bay Rays right-hander James Shields.
Boston manager Terry Francona has chosen to play right-handed hitter Darnell McDonald in center rather than rookie Ryan Kalish, who has been given most of the playing time against righties this season.
McDonald and Navarro have never faced Shields. Daniel Nava, who is batting seventh, is 0-for-3 against him. The top six in the veteran-laden order have seen Shields plenty, going a collective 57-for-177 (.322) with seven home runs against him.
David Ortiz is 12-for-30 (.400) with three of those homers and six walks vs. Shields.
Here are the complete lineups for both teams:
Red Sox
Marco Scutaro, SS
J.D. Drew, RF
Victor Martinez, C
David Ortiz, DH
Adrian Beltre, 3B
Mike Lowell, 1B
Daniel Nava, LF
Darnell McDonald, CF
Yamaico Navarro, 2B
Rays
John Jaso, C
Ben Zobrist, 2B
Carl Crawford, LF
Evan Longoria, 3B
Carlos Pena, 1B
Matt Joyce, RF
Dan Johnson, DH
B.J. Upton, CF
Jason Bartlett, SS
