Kevin Youkilis Scratched From Red Sox Lineup, Dustin Pedroia Hitting Cleanup in Series Opener at Seattle

There were no real surprises in Terry Francona's original Red Sox lineup on Friday night as Boston opens up a three-game set against the Mariners at Safeco Field in Seattle.

However, Kevin Youkilis, who was slated to play third base and man the cleanup spot, was scratched just a couple of hours before first pitch with a stiff back. Jed Lowrie will take his spot at third base and will bat second, while Dustin Pedroia slides down the lineup into the cleanup spot.

He and the Red Sox lineup will be taking their cuts against rookie right-hander Blake Beavan. The 6-foot-7 Texas native tossed 6 2/3 innings against the Sox at Fenway Park back on July 23. He did allow nine hits to the Red Sox, but was able to limit the damage given up just three runs, but took the loss in a 3-1 Boston win.

Jacoby Ellsbury, who will bat leadoff and play center field, had two of those nine hits against Beavan a few weeks back. Ellsbury also drove in two of the Red Sox runs that night.

Marco Scutaro, Adrian Gonzalez, David Ortiz and Pedroia all doubled in that game as well, and all are in the lineup on Friday.

John Lackey, meanwhile, looks to continue two impressive streaks. He's looking to win his sixth consecutive decision, all five of which have come in his last six starts. He'll also look to stay hot against the Mariners, as he is 4-0 with a 0.97 ERA against the M's since 2007. That stretch includes a stellar start at Seattle last July in which the big righty flirted with a no-hitter.

See the full lineups below.

Boston
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Jed Lowrie, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Carl Crawford, LF
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Josh Reddick, RF
Marco Scutaro, SS

Seattle
Ichiro Suzuki, RF
Franklin Gutierrez, RF
Dustin Ackley, 2B
Mike Carp, DH
Justin Smoak, 1B
Adam Kennedy, 3B
Miguel Olivo, C
Luis Rodriguez, SS
Trayvon Robinson, LF