When Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell left Shane Victorino out of the lineup for Thursday’s game against the Twins, it looked as though he was just giving his outfielder a game off during a travel day.
Now Victorino will sit a second straight game as the Sox return to Fenway to take on the Detroit Tigers on Friday night.
Replacing Victorino in right field is Grady Sizemore, who will bat in the second spot in the Red Sox order previously occupied by shortstop Xander Bogaerts.
Mike Carp will make his his third consecutive start on Friday, playing left field and batting fifth behind Bogaerts, who moves down to the sixth slot in the order.
Carp will be followed in the order by center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr., who will bat seventh for just the second time this season. Replacing Bradley in the nine hole is catcher David Ross, who will get the start behind the plate for pitcher Jon Lester.
Lester followed up a masterful 15-strikeout performance against the Oakland A’s with another win against the Texas Rangers to improve to 4-4 on the season.
Lester and the Sox will square off against 2013 American League Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, who has allowed just six runs over his last five starts.
Check out both full lineups below.
Boston Red Sox (20-20)
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Grady Sizemore, RF
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Napoli, 1B
Mike Carp, LF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
David Ross
Jon Lester, LHP (4-4, 2.75 ERA)
Detroit Tigers (24-12)
Rajai Davis, LF
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
Torii Hunter, RF
Austin Jackson, CF
Alex Avila, C
Nick Castellanos, 3B
Danny Worth, SS
Max Scherzer, RHP (4-1, 3.92 ERA)
