With defensive security in center field, manager Terry Francona was allowed more liberty to put Adrian Gonzalez in right field and David Ortiz at first base, giving the Sox their two top power hitters.
Ellsbury will lead off while Gonzalez and Ortiz will hit third and fifth, respectively. Dustin Pedroia, fresh off a heated exchange with Friday night’s home plate umpire, Laz Diaz, is batting second. Kevin Youkilis is in the cleanup spot. J.D. Drew and Josh Reddick start the game on the bench, with Darnell McDonald taking Reddick’s spot in left field.
For Houston, the top four hitters remain the same from Friday with Michael Bourn leading off, Angel Sanchez batting second, Hunter Pence batting third and Carlos Lee batting cleanup. The top four combined to go 8-for-19 with four RBI and three runs scored in Friday night’s contest.
Andrew Miller (1-0) gets the start for Boston, his third start this season. He will be opposed by J.A. Happ (3-9), who hasn’t won a decision since May 14. Happ sports a 5.54 ERA.
Here are the lineups for both teams for Saturday’s tilt.
Boston
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, RF
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
David Ortiz, 1B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Darnell McDonald, LF
Marco Scutaro, SS
Andrew Miller, P
Houston
Michael Bourn, CF
Angel Sanchez, 2B
Hunter Pence, RF
Carlos Lee, 1B
Jason Michaels, LF
Chris Johnson, 3B
Clint Barmes, SS
J.R. Towles, C
J.A. Happ, P
