Will Middlebrooks Returns To Lineup In World Series Rematch Vs. St. Louis

The Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals will meet for the first time since the 2013 World Series when they open up a three-game series at Busch Stadium on Tuesday night.

It isn’t exactly the rematch anyone was expecting, with the Red Sox occupying the basement of the American League East, while the Cardinals are hoping to make a playoff push as they sit one game behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Central.

The series won’t be the Fall Classic by any means, but it will feature plenty of reunions. The Cards acquired John Lackey — who likely won’t appear in this series — as they gear up for a playoff run in exchange for Allen Craig — who was placed on the disabled list  Tuesday — and Joe Kelly.

Kelly will make his debut with the Red Sox on Wednesday, but tonight it is Rubby De La Rosa who will toe the rubber against Lance Lynn.

Brock Holt will once again leadoff for the Boston Red Sox, but he’ll shift to center field, giving Jackie Bradley Jr. the night off, as Will Middlebrooks will return to the hot corner and bat ninth. Yoenis Cespedes and Daniel Nava will round out the outfield with Christian Vazquez getting the start behind the plate, batting eighth.

Mike Napoli will also get the night off, with David Ortiz taking over at first base.

Check out Boston’s full lineup below.

Boston Red Sox (49-62)
Brock Holt, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, 1B
Yoenis Cespedes, LF
Daniel Nava, RF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Christian Vazquez, C
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Rubby De La Rosa, RHP (3-4, 3.64 ERA)

St. Louis Cardinals (59-51)
Matt Carpenter, 3B
Kolten Wong, 2B
Matt Holliday, LF
Matt Adams, 1B
Jhonny Peralta, SS
A.J. Pierzynski C
Oscar Taveras, RF
Jon Jay, CF
Lance Lynn, RHP (11-8, 2.98 ERA)