There's a reason August is nicknamed the "dog days of summer," and it couldn't be a more accurate description for the currently battered Red Sox lineup.
Designated hitter David Ortiz, who sat out Saturday night's game with right heel bursitis, will sit again on Wednesday in the rubber game of Boston's two-day, three-game series against Tampa Bay.
Adrian Gonzalez will take Ortiz's place at DH, with Kevin Youkilis sliding across the diamond to man first base and Jed Lowrie filling in at third.
Darnell McDonald will get the start in right field and bat sixth, while catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia returns to the lineup in the eighth spot.
John Lackey, who is 6-0 in his last seven outings with an ERA under 4.00, will start for the Sox opposite Rays left-hander David Price.
See the full lineups below.
Boston
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, DH
Kevin Youkilis, 1B
Jed Lowrie, 3B
Darnell McDonald, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Mike Aviles, SS
Tampa Bay
Desmond Jennings, LF
Johnny Damon, DH
Evan Longoria, 3B
Ben Zobrist, 2B
Casey Kotchman, 1B
B.J. Upton, CF
Matt Joyce, RF
Reid Brignac, SS
Kelly Shoppach, C
