Pedro Ciriaco Gives Will Middlebrooks Night Off at Third Base As Red Sox Go for Sweep in Cleveland

Will Middlebrooks has struggled to find his stroke of late, going just 2-for-30 at the plate since his monster three-homer game in Toronto on April 7.

He’ll have a night off to collect himself, as Red Sox manager John Farrell has elected to give Pedro Ciriaco the start at third base for Thursday night’s series finale in Cleveland.

Ciriaco has gone 2-for-8 with a double and two RBIs in four games played this season, including two starts at shortstop. Wednesday will mark his first start at the hot corner this season. He’s faced Indians starter Zach McAllister just twice in his career, will McAllister getting the better of both encounters.

Check out the full lineups below.

Boston Red Sox (10-4)

Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Shane Victorino, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Mike Napoli, 1B
Daniel Nava, LF
Jonny Gomes, DH
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Stephen Drew, SS
Pedro Ciriaco, 3B

Jon Lester, LHP

Cleveland Indians (5-8)

Michael Brantley, LF
Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
Carlos Santana, C
Nick Swisher, 1B
Mark Reynolds, DH
Ryan Raburn, RF
Mike Aviles, 3B
Cord Phelps, 2B
Drew Stubbs, CF

Zach McAllister, RHP