Will Middlebrooks Not in Red Sox Lineup As They Open Three-Game Set With Rays at Fenway

Kevin Youkilis is back to his normal position at third base. The same can be said for Adrian Gonzalez across the diamond at first base.

That leaves Will Middlebrooks as the odd man out Friday night for the Red Sox' series opener with the Tampa Bay Rays.

With Middlebrooks on the bench to start the night and Gonzalez returning to the infield, Daniel Nava, Scott Podsednik and Marlon Byrd all find their way into the Red Sox lineup.

The Sox will take their hacks against Tampa Bay youngster Alex Cobb. The 24-year-old has never faced the Red Sox, and Mike Aviles is the only member of the Boston lineup to have seen the right-hander. Cobb recorded a win in his first start in the bigs this season, his last time out, going seven innings in a winning effort against the Braves last week.

Jon Lester gets the start for the Red Sox who are opening up a seven-game homestand.

The full lineups are below.

Red Sox
Mike Aviles, SS
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Daniel Nava, LF
Marlon Byrd, RF
Scott Podsednik, RF

Jon Lester, P

Rays
Carlos Pena, 1B
B.J. Upton, CF
Luke Scott, DH
Ben Zobrist, RF
Matt Joyce, LF
Sean Rodriguez, 2B
Drew Sutton, 3B
Chris Gimenez, C
Elliot Johnson, SS 

Alex Cobb, P