David Ortiz Gets Routine Day Off; A.J. Pierzynski Will DH Against A’s

The Boston Red Sox are taking on arguably the best offense in baseball in the Oakland Athletics, and they’ll have to do so without their biggest offensive weapon.

Designated hitter David Ortiz will sit Thursday as the Sox begin a seven-game West Coast road trip. It’s a routine day off for Big Papi, and A.J. Pierzynski will fill in at DH and bat fifth.

David Ross will man the backstop for starter Jake Peavy and bat eighth.

With left-hander Scott Kazmir taking the mound for the A’s, Jonny Gomes gets the nod in left field and will bat in the sixth spot.

The Sox have a challenge ahead of them, as Kazmir has been dealing this season, and the A’s have been outscoring opponents at alarming rates. Peavy has the second-lowest run support in the American League (3.19), so let’s hope Boston can turn it around with him on the mound.

Boston Red Sox (34-38)
Brock Holt, RF
Xander Bogaerts, 3B
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Mike Napoli, 1B
A.J. Pierzynski, DH
Jonny Gomes, LF
Stephen Drew, SS
David Ross, C
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF

Jake Peavy, RHP (1-4, 4.53 ERA)

Oakland Athletics (44-28)
Coco Crisp, CF
John Jaso, DH
Yoenis Cespedes, LF
Brandon Moss, 1B
Josh Donaldson, 3B
Jed Lowrie, SS
Derek Norris, C
Stephen Vogt, RF
Alberto Callaspo, 2B

Scott Kazmir, LHP (8-2, 2.05 ERA)