The Red Sox' lineup on Friday night may resemble one more suited for a March game in Fort Myers than an August tilt in Kansas City, but that's sometimes the way things go over the course of a season.
Regardless, the Sox will look to make it two wins over the Royals in as many nights when they take on Jeff Francis at Kauffman Stadium.
With the continued absences of David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis, Terry Francona continues to juggle his lineup. On Friday night, the Sox skipper has Mike Aviles in the two-hole and playing shortstop, with Dustin Pedroia once again in the cleanup role.
With the left-handed Francis on the mound, Darnell McDonald will get the start in right field where he will hit ninth.
Ryan Lavarnway is back in the Red Sox lineup one night after making an 0-for-4 major league debut. He'll hit sixth and will once again be the designated hitter.
Adrian Gonzalez is the only member of the Red Sox lineup to have an extended look against Francis, who pitched against the Red Sox as a member of the Rockies in the 2007 World Series. Gonzalez is just a .194 (6-for-31) hitter against the southpaw with a home run and three RBIs.
Pedroia did homer off of Francis in Game 1 of the '07 World Series as well.
The full lineups are below.
Boston
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Mike Aviles, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Jed Lowrie, 3B
Ryan Lavarnway, DH
Carl Crawford, LF
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Darnell McDonald, RF
Kansas City
Alex Gordon, LF
Melky Cabrera, CF
Billy Butler, DH
Eric Hosmer, 1B
Jeff Francoeur, RF
Johnny Giavotella, 2B
Brayan Pena, C
Mike Moustakas, 3B
Alicdes Escobar, SS
