Jed Lowrie Playing Shortstop, Jason Varitek Catching As Josh Beckett, Red Sox Take on Angels

Jason Varitek is behind the plate for the second straight game and J.D. Drew is batting leadoff once again as the Red Sox invade Anaheim for the first of four straight with the Angels on Thursday night.

Varitek, who caught Clay Buchholz for the first time this season Wednesday in Oakland, has been paired with Josh Beckett for three straight games. The first two resulted in gems from Beckett, who gave up just one run in 15 total innings.

The captain is just 1-for-20 this season and is hitless in his last 14 at-bats.

Drew has gone 3-for-8 with a home run, a triple and a walk in two games atop the order. He, like each of his teammates, has never faced Angels rookies right-hander Tyler Chatwood.

The scorching Jed Lowrie draws another starting assignment at shortstop, one day after serving as the team’s third baseman. Lowrie, who homered Wednesday, is batting .531 (17-for-32) with 11 RBIs in his last nine games.

Here is the full batting order against Chatwood, followed by the Angels order against Beckett:

Red Sox

J.D. Drew, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
David Ortiz, DH
Jed Lowrie, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Jason Varitek, C
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF

Angels

Maicer Izturis, 3B
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Bobby Abreu, DH
Torii Hunter, RF
Vernon Wells, LF
Hank Conger, C
Mark Trumbo, 1B
Erick Aybar, SS
Peter Bourjos, CF