In what seems like an odd bit of scheduling, the Red Sox will begin a two-game series in Denver on Tuesday.
Only five games remain on the regular-season schedule for the Sox, who secured first place in the American League East with a win over Toronto last Friday. Their opponent for the first of those five will be the Rockies, who boast one of the best offenses in baseball (ninth in the majors in runs, third in batting average) but one of the worst pitching staffs.
The Red Sox will trot out a slightly different lineup than usual against Colorado starter Tyler Chatwood, as Shane Victorino slides up to the leadoff spot that Dustin Pedroia has occupied over the past few weeks. Pedroia, meanwhile, returns to his usual No. 3 spot ahead of David Ortiz.
Victorino has hit from atop the order this season, shifting up from No. 2 occasionally in Jacoby Ellsbury‘s absence, but only sparingly. He has just 27 at-bats from the leadoff spot under his belt, tallying six hits, two doubles, a home run and seven runs scored.
Also, because the game is being played in an NL park, Ortiz will start at first base, and John Lackey will have the chance to improve his .098 career batting average.
Check out the full starting lineups for both teams below.
Boston Red Sox (95-62)
Shane Victorino, RF
Daniel Nava, LF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, 1B
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Stephen Drew, SS
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
John Lackey, P
Colorado Rockies (71-86)
Charlie Blackmon, CF
DJ LeMahieu, 2B
Troy Tulowitzki, SS
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Todd Helton, 1B
Nolan Arenado, 3B
Corey Dickerson, LF
Jordan Pacheco, C
Tyler Chatwood, P
