The Boston Red Sox open a three-game interleague series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night at PNC Park, but they do so without David Ortiz’s services.
The Red Sox slugger left Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Royals in the seventh inning because of a family emergency, and he remains out of the lineup against the Pirates. Red Sox manager John Farrell has said Ortiz was expected to join the team in Pittsburgh, but it’s unclear when that will happen.
The Red Sox also can’t use a designated hitter in Pittsburgh, which is a National League ballpark.
Even without Ortiz’s bat, the Red Sox defeated the Royals 8-4 on Sunday, thanks to Daniel Nava’s grand slam and Xander Bogaerts’ three-run blast. Nava will look to stay hot, batting third and playing right field, with Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts occupying the top of the lineup.
The two youngsters have turned it up a notch in September, with Betts hitting .333 with three doubles, four RBIs and 14 runs in the final month. Meanwhile, Bogaerts is hitting .368 with four home runs, 11 RBIs and eight runs in September.
See the lineups for both teams below.
Boston Red Sox (66-84)
Mookie Betts, 2B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Daniel Nava, RF
Yoenis Cespedes, LF
Mike Napoli, 1B
Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Christian Vazquez, C
Anthony Ranaudo, RHP (3-2, 5.40 ERA)
Pittsburgh Pirates (79-70)
Josh Harrison, 3B
Travis Snider, RF
Andrew McCutchen, CF
Neil Walker, 2B
Russell Martin, C
Starling Marte, LF
Ike Davis, 1B
Clint Barmes, SS
Charlie Morton, RHP (5-12, 3.84 ERA)
