FORT MYERS, Fla. — The Red Sox will throw five left-handed hitters against Tampa Bay Rays southpaw David Price when the two teams meet Tuesday night.
After Jacoby Ellsbury in the leadoff spot and Carl Crawford batting third, Boston bats three straight lefties — two of whom struggled mightily in such situations last year — against Price, who held left-handed hitters to a .217 mark in 2010.
Adrian Gonzalez, David Ortiz and J.D. Drew are the three lefty bats, batting fifth through seventh in the order.
Of course, everyone needs reps in every sort of situation to prepare for the regular season, so nobody should read much into the configuration. Ellsbury, Ortiz and Drew are a combined 4-for-22 (.182) vs. Price. Gonzalez and Crawford, who was Price's teammate, have never faced him.
Manny Ramirez will be the featured player in the Tampa Bay lineup. He will bat cleanup and play left field.
John Lackey is on the mound for Boston. Here are the complete lineups for both teams:
Red Sox
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Carl Crawford, LF
4. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
5. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
6. David Ortiz, DH
7. J.D. Drew, RF
8. Jason Varitek, C
9. Marco Scutaro, SS
Rays
1. Ben Zobrist, 1B
2. Matt Joyce, RF
3. Evan Longoria, 3B
4. Manny Ramirez, LF
5. Dan Johnson, DH
6. B.J. Upton, CF
7. Reid Brignac, SS
8. Sean Rodriguez, 2B
9. Jose Lobaton, C
