Dustin Pedroia Not in Red Sox Lineup As Sox Take On Justin Verlander

The Red Sox take on arguably the best pitcher in baseball Tuesday night, and they'll have to do so without arguably the best bat in their lineup. 

Dustin Pedroia is not in the Boston lineup for the second game of a four-game series with the Tigers, who will send Justin Verlander to the mound. Pedroia's absence from the lineup was expected after the second baseman jammed his thumb during Monday's win over Detroit. He had to leave the game, and Bobby Valentine didn't expect Pedroia to be in the lineup Tuesday.

Pedroia's personal history against Verlander probably makes the decision a little bit easier to make, too. The second baseman is 0-for-13 in his career against Verlander.

Unsurprisingly, the Sox don't have much individual success against Verlander, the reigning Cy Young and MVP winner. David Ortiz and Kevin Youkilis do each have two home runs and three RBIs against the flame-throwing right-hander. 

Daniel Bard gets the start for the Red Sox.

Here are the lineups.

Red Sox
Daniel Nava, LF
Ryan Sweeney, RF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
David Ortiz, DH
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Mike Aviles, SS
Scott Podsednik, CF
Nick Punto, 2B

Daniel Bard, P

Tigers
Quintin Berry, CF
Andy Dirks, LF
Miguel Cabrera, 3B
Prince Fielder, 1B
Delmon Young, DH
Brennan Boesch, RF
Alex Avila, C
Jhonny Peralta, SS
Ramon Santiago, 2B

Justin Verlander, P