The Boston Red Sox had a tough end to their series against the Tampa Bay Rays, dropping both games of a day-night doubleheader Thursday to give the visitors the series win.
The Sox hope to rebound Friday night against the Oakland A’s at Fenway Park and will send right-hander Clay Buchholz to the mound to do so. Buchholz has struggled early this season, but he picked up his first win of the year in his last outing, allowing just three runs over seven innings in a 7-6 win over the Toronto Blue Jays.
Grady Sizemore will return to the Red Sox’s lineup for the second consecutive game, batting fifth and playing left field. Starting behind the plate will be A.J. Pierznyski, who will bat seventh, ahead of third baseman Will Middlebrooks and center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr.
The A’s lineup will feature plenty of familiar faces for Red Sox fans, as four players in their lineup — center fielder Coco Crisp, shortstop Jed Lowrie, first baseman Brandon Moss and right fielder Josh Reddick — all spent time in Boston before joining Oakland.
Check out both full lineups below.
Boston Red Sox (13-16)
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Shane Victorino, RF
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Napoli, 1B
Grady Sizemore, LF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
A.J. Pierzynski, C
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Clay Buchholz, RHPÂ (1-2, 6.66 ERA)
Oakland A’s (12-16)
Coco Crisp, CF
Jed Lowrie, SS
Josh Donaldson, 3B
Brandon Moss, 1B
Yoenis Cespedes, LF
Alberto Callaspo, DH
Josh Reddick, RF
John Jaso, C
Eric Sogard, 2B
Dan Straily, RHP (1-1, 5.14 ERA)
