As the West Coast road trip continues into Seattle, the Red Sox will begin the series without star center fielder and All-Star snub Jacoby Ellsbury.
Ellsbury will get the night off because of soreness in his left wrist, and Daniel Nava will take over to captain the outfield in Monday’s game against Felix Hernandez and the Seattle Mariners. Nava — coming off a four-hit performance Saturday against the Angels– will lead it off for the Sox, followed by Jonny Gomes and Dustin Pedroia.
Mike Carp will get the start in left field and will bat sixth in the lineup behind first baseman Mike Napoli. Carp has notched just three hits in his last 16 at-bats, and he will have to face another tough arm Monday.
Hernandez is 8-4 with a 2.69 ERA but will have to slow down the best hitting team in baseball. The 3-4-5 combination of Pedroia, David Ortiz and Napoli have accounted for 22 home runs and 166 RBIs on the season thus far.
Also looking to contribute will be third baseman Brock Holt, who will be playing in his third career game for the Red Sox. Holt is battling with Brandon Snyder for playing time at the hot corner while the Sox look for a more permanent option.
Take a look at the lineups for both teams below.
Boston Red Sox (54-36)
Daniel Nava, CF
Jonny Gomes, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Napoli, 1B
Mike Carp, LF
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Jose Iglesias, SS
Brock Holt, 3B
Jon Lester, LHP
Seatte Mariners (39-49)
Brad Miller, SS
Nick Franklin, 2B
Raul Ibanez, LF
Kendrys Morales, DH
Kyle Seager, 3B
Jason Bay, RF
Justin Smoak, 1B
Mike Zunino, C
Michael Saunders, CF
Felix Hernandez, RHP
