Red Sox Stick With Consistent Lineup in Early Going, As Alfredo Aceves Set to Take Hill Thursday

It’s early in the season, but already the Red Sox have put a consistent lineup on the field depending on the opposing pitcher. Facing a right-hander, the team puts Jackie Bradley Jr. in the lineup in left field. Facing a southpaw, Daniel Nava jumps from DH to left field, and Jonny Gomes occupies the DH slot.

Starting the season at 5-3, that strategy has certainly worked so far. However, on Thursday the Red Sox will turn to their rotation depth, asking swingman Alfredo Aceves to step in and start in place of the injured John Lackey. Although Aceves has never started more than four games in a season, he’s always professed that starting is his preference, and he went 1-1 with a 5.14 ERA in four starts in 2011.

Check out the starting lineups for the Baltimore Orioles and Boston Red Sox for Thursday, April 11 below.

Baltimore Orioles

Nate McLouth, LF
Manny Machado, 3B
Nick Markakis, DH
Adam Jones, CF
Chris Davis, 1B
Matt Wieters, C
J.J. Hardy, SS
Chris Dickerson, RF
Alexi Casilla, 2B

Chris Tillman, RHP

Boston Red Sox

Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Shane Victorino, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Mike Napoli, 1B
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Daniel Nava, DH
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Stephen Drew, SS
Jackie Bradley Jr., LF

Alfredo Aceves, RHP