After scoring a combined four runs in 14 innings on Monday night, the Red Sox and Royals combined for 22 in nine innings on Tuesday. There is no telling what Wednesday night will bring.
What Wednesday does bring, however, is another chance for John Lackey to continue his winning ways.
In his last three starts, Lackey is 3-0 and has given up just four runs in 19 1/3 innings. Bruce Chen will take the mound for the Royals.
After injuring his hamstring running to first Monday night, Kevin Youkilis is back in the lineup and returns to the clean-up spot. Dustin Pedroia, looking to extend his hitting streak to 24 games, returns to the two-hole.
Jacoby Ellsbury is back in center field and Yamaico Navarro will replace Carl Crawford in left.
Jarod Saltalamacchia will catch Lackey and bat sixth.
Boston
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
David Ortiz, DH
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Marco Scutaro, SS
Darnell Mcdonald, RF
Yamaico Navarro, LF
Royals
Alex Gordon, LF
Melky Cabrera, CF
Billy Butler, DH
Eric Hosmer, 1B
Jeff Francoeur, RF
Mike Moustakas, 3B
Brayan Pena, C
Chris Getz, 2B
Alcides Escobar, SS
