BOSTON — The top half of the Red Sox lineup will look to take advantage of its matchup with Minnesota Twins right-hander Nick Blackburn when the two teams finish a four-game series on Monday night.
Jacoby Ellsbury, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz, the first four hitters in Boston's batting order who have faced Blackburn, are a combined 14-for-35 (.400) against the righty. Adrian Gonzalez, who went 3-for-5 with a home run in Sunday's win, has never faced Blackburn.
The rest of the lineup is 4-for-21 (.190) against Blackburn, who was bumped into this start when left-hander Francisco Liriano came down with an illness in the wake of his no-hitter last week.
Here is the complete Red Sox lineup in support of Josh Beckett, followed by those working on behalf of Blackburn.
Boston
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
David Ortiz, DH
J.D. Drew, RF
Jed Lowrie, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Jason Varitek, C
Twins
Denard Span, CF
Matt Tolbert, SS
Jason Kubel, DH
Justin Morneau, 1B
Danny Valencia, 3B
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Ben Revere, LF
Rene Rivera, C
Luke Hughes, 2B
