The Red Sox are in need of a pick-me-up after a devastating 9-7 extra-inning loss against the Angels on Saturday night. Luckily for Boston, it will send one of its hottest starting pitchers to the mound in John Lackey, as it tries to bounce back out west.
Lackey (6-5) has been solid for over a month now, as he hasn’t lost a start since May 29 and has earned a win in three of his last five outings, effectively lowering his ERA to 2.81.
He will be tested by a potent Angels lineup, though, which is coming off of a four-run rally in the ninth and nine total runs Saturday.
The Red Sox lineup has a few changes, the biggest of which is the absence of Shane Victorino after he left Saturday’s game with hamstring tightness. Daniel Nava will slide over to right field to cover for Victorino, and Mike Carp will play in left field. The Sox will also go with Ryan Lavarnway at catcher, and recent Triple-A Pawtucket call-up Brock Holt again at third base.
The Angels, meanwhile, will send Jered Weaver (2-4, 3.79 ERA) to the mound. Weaver is also coming in hot to Sunday, as he has pitched seven innings and allowed only one earned run in each of his past two outings.
Check out the starting lineups below.
Boston Red Sox (54-35)
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Daniel Nava, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Napoli, 1B
Mike Carp, LF
Ryan Lavarnway, C
Brock Holt, 3B
Jose Iglesias, SS
John Lackey, RHP
Los Angeles Angels (42-45)
J.B. Shuck, LF
Mike Trout, CF
Albert Pujols, DH
Josh Hamilton, RF
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Alberto Callaspo, 3B
Brad Hawpe, 1B
Hank Conger, C
Erick Aybar, SS
Jered Weaver, RHP
