Jarrod Saltalamacchia is back in the lineup on Wednesday after resting against left-handed pitcher David Price on Tuesday. The Red Sox catcher is just two home runs shy of Carlton Fisk‘s single-season home run record by a catcher.
Saltalamacchia currently stands at 24 home runs on the season and has seven more games to break Fisk’s club record of 26, which he accomplished in 1973 and 1977. Saltalamacchia has hit just one home run this month.
Jacoby Ellsbury is out of the lineup once again, giving way to Scott Podsednik on Wednesday. Ellsbury is still out with a cryptic undisclosed “situation.”
James Loney is back in the lineup after Mauro Gomez took a turn playing first base on Tuesday night. Loney has hit .247 with a .587 OPS in 25 games with the Red Sox. Loney is historically better against right-handed pitching, batting .295 in his career vs. .249 against left-handers. Righty Alex Cobb is on the mound Wednesday for the Rays.
The Rays have switched up their lineup to face lefty Jon Lester. Tampa Bay has moved Carlos Pena up in their order while also inserting Ben Francisco, Ryan Roberts and Jose Lobaton.
Check out the lineups for both teams below:
Tampa Bay Rays
Desmond Jennings, LF
B.J. Upton, CF
Ben Zobrist, SS
Evan Longoria, 3B
Jeff Keppinger, DH
Carlos Pena, 1B
Ben Francisco, LF
Ryan Roberts, 2B
Jose Lobaton, C
Alex Cobb, RHP
Boston Red Sox
Pedro Ciriaco, 3B
Scott Podsednik, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Cody Ross, RF
James Loney, 1B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Ryan Lavarnway, DH
Daniel Nava, LF
Jose Iglesias, SS
Jon Lester, LHP
