After falling out of first place in the AL East for the second time in the course of a week, the Red Sox do get some schedule relief in the coming days and weeks. Beginning Tuesday, Boston plays 13 of its next 16 games against teams at or below .500.
On Tuesday, the Red Sox begin a three-game home set against the Seattle Mariners, a team whose best hitter in 2013 has been the 41-year-old Raul Ibanez. Boston will have to face Felix Hernandez on Thursday, however.
To begin the series, Jose Iglesias gets another crack at third base for the Red Sox, while Jarrod Saltalamacchia returns behind the dish after sitting Monday night with left-hander David Price on the mound for the Rays. Aside from that, it’s a status quo lineup for the Red Sox, who will put the 24-year-old Brandon Workman on the mound.
The Mariners will counter with veteran southpaw Joe Saunders, who is doing just about the same thing he does every season — put up middling number while eating innings.
Check out the starting lineups for both teams below.
Seattle Mariners (50-55)
Brad Miller, SS
Nick Franklin, 2B
Kyle Seager, 3B
Kendrys Morales, DH
Raul Ibanez, LF
Michael Morse, RF
Justin Smoak, 1B
Michael Saunders, CF
Henry Blanco, C
Joe Saunders, LHP
Boston Red Sox (63-44)
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Shane Victorino, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Napoli, 1B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Jonny Gomes, LF
Stephen Drew, SS
Jose Iglesias, 3B
Brandon Workman, RHP
