Adrian Gonzalez will not play right field — not on Friday night, at least.
With many wondering how Terry Francona would keep his two most powerful bats in the lineup, the skipper has elected to keep one out. David Ortiz is not in the starting lineup Friday night, as the Red Sox open a three-game set in Pittsburgh.
Instead of shifting Gonzalez to an unnatural position in the outfield, Mike Cameron will instead man right field and bat sixth.
Cameron's history against Pittsburgh starter Paul Maholm helped make Francona's decision a little easier for this one. In 30 at-bats against the lefty, Cameron is hitting .433 with three homers and nine RBIs.
J.D. Drew is not in the starting lineup, but he is 2-for-3 in his career against Maholm. Gonzalez (.111 BA in nine ABs), Darnell McDonald (.500 BA in four ABs), Marco Scutaro (.250 BA in four ABs) and Jarrod Saltalamacchia (.500 BA in two ABs) are the only Red Sox who have faced Maholm in their careers. Saltalamacchia is not in the starting lineup.
The complete Red Sox batting order is below.
Red Sox
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
Darnell McDonald, LF
Mike Cameron, RF
Jason Varitek, C
Marco Scutaro, SS
Jon Lester, P
Pirates
Jose Tabata, LF
Chase d'Arnaud, 3B
Andrew McCutchen, CF
Neil Walker, 2B
Matt Diaz, RF
Lyle Overbay, 1B
Ronny Cedeno, SS
Michael McKenry, C
Paul Maholm, P
