Will Middlebrooks Gets Start at Third Base as Daniel Bard Takes Mound Against A’s

The back stiffness finally got to Kevin Youkilis, enough so to send him to the 15-day disabled list. But Youkilis' misfortune could be just the opportunity that one of the Red Sox' top prospects needed to break through in the big leagues.

Will Middlebrooks will be getting the start at third base in Boston on Wednesday night, making his major league debut at Fenway Park. The 23-year-old was batting .333 with nine home runs and 27 RBIs at Triple-A Pawtucket before the call-up.

The emergence of the third baseman on the Red Sox roster comes on a day when another emerging young star is set to make a crucial start on the mound.

Daniel Bard (2-2, 3.72 ERA) will take the hill for the Red Sox, squaring off against Oakland ace Brandon McCarthy (1-3, 3.23). Bard is looking for his third consecutive win and is working to solidify his place in the Red Sox rotation.

Red Sox (11-12)
Mike Aviles, SS
Ryan Sweeney, RF
Dustin Pedroia , 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
David Ortiz, DH
Cody Ross, LF
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Marlon Byrd, CF

Daniel Bard, P

Athletics (12-13)
Coco Crisp, LF
Cliff Pennington, SS
Josh Reddick, RF
Yoenis Cespedes, CF
Seth Smith, DH
Kila Ka'aihue, 1B
Kurt Suzuki, C
Brandon Inge, 3B
Eric Sogard, 2B

Brandon McCarthy, P