After an absolute marathon of a game Saturday night, the Boston Red Sox are likely a bit tired heading into their series finale with the Los Angeles Angels.
Fortunately, the Sox have some fresh bodies on the bench.
Boston is making some significant changes to its lineup on Sunday, giving David Ortiz and Christian Vazquez the day off while giving two new faces the chance to make their Red Sox debuts.
Dan Butler, who was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket last weekend, will make his MLB debut batting ninth and playing catcher in place of Vazquez, who caught all 19 innings of Saturday’s historically long affair.
Newly-acquired first baseman Kelly Johnson will make his first start since coming from the New York Yankees at the MLB trade deadline, playing first base and batting fifth. Mike Napoli takes over for Ortiz in the DH spot batting fourth, while Yoenis Cespedes bumps up to third in the order.
After sitting out four of the last five games, Jackie Bradley Jr. will be back in Boston’s lineup, patrolling center field and batting eighth. Bradley is mired in a brutal 0-for-31 slump.
Rubby De La Rosa will take the mound for the Red Sox looking to capture his first win since July 19.
Boston Red Sox (51-64)
Brock Holt, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Yoenis Cespedes, LF
Mike Napoli, DH
Kelly Johnson, 1B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Dan Butler, C
Rubby De La Rosa, RHP (3-4, 3.43 ERA)
Los Angeles Angels (67-48)
Kole Calhoun, RF
Mike Trout, CF
Albert Pujols, DH
Erick Aybar, SS
Howie Kendrick, 2B
David Freese, 3B
Efren Navarro, 1B
Chris Ianetta, C
Collin Cowgill, LF
Hector Santiago, LHP (3-7, 3.84 ERA)
