Dustin Pedroia will be in a somewhat unfamiliar role on Friday afternoon when the Red Sox take on the Yankees for the first time all season.
The second baseman has moved down into the third spot in Bobby Valentine's lineup, and it marks just the 21st start for Pedroia in the three-hole.
Pedroia is a .274 (23-for-84) career hitter out of the third spot in the lineup, with three home runs and nine RBIs. Pedroia has already made one appearance in that spot this year, though, hitting third on April 8. He went 2-for-6 in a 13-12 extra-innings loss to the Tigers on Easter.
Ryan Sweeney will occupy the second spot in the lineup behind Mike Aviles, who remains atop the Boston batting order.
Clay Buchholz will get the start for Boston while Ivan Nova takes the ball for New York in the battle between the right-handers.
Here are the lineups.
Red Sox
Mike Aviles, SS
Ryan Sweeney, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
David Ortiz, DH
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Cody Ross, LF
Jason Repko, CF
Yankees
Derek Jeter, SS
Curtis Granderson, CF
Alex Rodriguez, DH
Robinson Cano, 2B
Mark Teixeira, DH
Nick Swisher, RF
Raul Ibanez, LF
Eric Chavez, 3B
Russell Martin, C
