American League pitchers are likely running out of ideas when it comes to getting David Ortiz out as the Red Sox designated hitter has been red-hot since returning. It’s beginning to look like the only option is to hope that Ortiz’s name isn’t penciled into the lineup.
The Blue Jays are lucky enough to have that happen Thursday night, when Ortiz will get a night off (to start at least) in the final game of a three-game series between Toronto and Boston. The veteran DH is hitting .487 (19-for-39) since making his season debut, with at least an RBI in eight of the 10 games he’s played in this season. Ortiz will sit, though, as Toronto sends lefty J.A. Happ to the mound for the finale.
Happ is making his fifth career appearance against the Red Sox, his fourth start. He’s 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA in 18 1/3 innings against Boston.
Here are the lineups for Thursday’s game.
Red Sox
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Jonny Gomes, LF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Mike Napoli, DH
Daniel Nava, RF
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Mike Carp, 1B
David Ross, C
Stephen Drew, SS
Ryan Dempster, P
Blue Jays
Brett Lawrie, 3B
Adam Lind, 1B
Jose Bautista, RF
Edwin Encarnacion, DH
J.P. Arencibia, C
Melky Cabrer, LF
Colby Rasmus, CF
Emilio Bonifacio, 2B
Munenori Kawasaki, SS
J.A. Happ, P
