Ellsbury will leado ff and start in center field for the Sox, as Boston enters Tampa Bay to take on the AL East rival Rays in search of a more successful second half of the season. Daniel Nava, who has led off for much of Ellsbury's absence, has been dropped down a spot and will hit in the No. 2 hole on Friday night.
Adrian Gonzalez, meanwhile, will miss the first game back after the break with some lingering illness that forced him from Sunday's first-half finale. Mauro Gomez gets the start in his absence, and is slated to bat cleanup.
Ryan Sweeney, who has been a slugging machine for the Sox, rounds out the outfield. Pedro Ciriaco gets the start at second base, as Dustin Pedroia continues his rehabilitation from a thumb injury.
The Red Sox will have a tough task ahead of them in Rays starter Jeremy Hellickson (4-5, 3.41). Meanwhile, Franklin Morales (1-2, 3.50) will take the hill for Boston, hoping to regroup after an underwhelming outing against the Yankees last weekend.
Check out the starting lineups for both sides below.
Red Sox (43-43)
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Daniel Nava, LF
David Ortiz, DH
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Ryan Sweeney, RF
Mike Aviles, SS
Pedro Ciriaco, 2B
Franklin Morales, LHP (1-2, 3.50)
Rays (45-41)
Elliot Johnson, SS
Carlos Pena, 1B
Ben Zobrist, RF
B.J. Upton, CF
Jeff Keppinger, 2B
Sean Rodriguez, 2B
Luke Scott, DH
Desmond Jennings, LF
Jose Lobaton, C
Jeremy Hellickson, RHP (4-5, 3.41)
