After watching Tuesday’s 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays from the dugout, Jacoby Ellsbury is back in the lineup Wednesday in his typical leadoff spot for the Red Sox.
Ellsbury will be followed in the order by Shane Victorino, who gets the start in right field. Victorino has been in a bit of a slump over the past few weeks — notching just five hits in his last 24 at-bats — but scored a crucial run on a double steal in Tuesday’s win.
Dustin Pedroia, David Ortiz and Mike Napoli will hit 3-4-5 in the lineup and will look to give starting pitcher Felix Doubront sufficient run support. Doubront has thrown the ball spectacularly of late, winning his last three starts. The lefty has not allowed more than three runs in a start since May 8.
Doubront will be tasked with slowing down Rays cleanup hitter Wil Myers, who homered in his first at-bat on Tuesday. The rookie is hitting .316 with five home runs and 19 RBIs in just 30 games played this season.
Stephen Drew, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Jose Iglesias round out the bottom of the order. Iglesias added a clutch two-RBI single in the eighth inning of Tuesday’s win to give the Sox a four-run lead and valuable run insurance. The third baseman will look to continue his success at the plate against defending American League Cy Young winner David Price, who will get the start for the Rays.
Check out the lineups for both teams below.
Boston Red Sox (61-41)
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Shane Victorino, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Napoli, 1B
Johnny Gomes, LF
Stephen Drew, SS
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Jose Iglesias, 3B
Felix Doubront, LHP
Tampa Bay Rays (59-42)
Desmond Jennings, CF
Evan Longoria, 3B
Ben Zobrist, 2B
Wil Myers, RF
Luke Scott, DH
Sean Rodriguez, LF
James Loney, 1B
Jose Molina, C
Yunel Escobar, SS
David Price, LHP
