The Fenway Faithful’s first glimpse of Mookie Betts will be in center field.
Betts, one of the Boston Red Sox’s most highly touted prospects, made his major league debut Sunday night, starting in right field in the Red Sox’s series finale at Yankee Stadium.
After going 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in Boston’s 8-5 win, Betts returns to the lineup Monday night. The 21-year-old will be in center field for the opener of a three-game set with the Chicago Cubs at Fenway, giving Jackie Bradley Jr. a night off.
Though he has no big league experience at the position, Betts has seen plenty of time in center since he was transitioned to the outfield earlier this season, making 27 appearances there between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Pawtucket.
With Betts shifting over, leadoff man Brock Holt returns to right field after a one-game foray back at third base. The Red Sox’s everyday third baseman, Xander Bogaerts, sat out the finale in New York but will be in the lineup against the Cubs.
See the full lineups for both teams below.
Boston Red Sox (38-44)
Brock Holt, RF
Daniel Nava, LF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Napoli, 1B
Xander Bogaerts, 3B
Stephen Drew, SS
Mookie Betts, CF
David Ross, C
Jake Peavy, RHP (1-6, 4.93Â ERA)
Chicago Cubs (34-46)
Chris Coghlan, LF
Ryan Sweeney, DH
Anthony Rizzo, 1B
Starlin Castro, SS
Luis Valbuena, 3B
Welington Castillo, C
Nate Schierholtz, RF
Junior Lake, CF
Darwin Barney, 2B
Jake Arrieta (4-1, 2.05 ERA)
