After a rough series against the Baltimore Orioles, the Boston Red Sox aim to bounce back Monday when they welcome the Toronto Blue Jays to town.
Starting pitching proved to be a problem once again for Boston, as Wade Miley failed to get out of the third inning in the series finale against the O’s on Sunday. Miley was rocked to the tune of seven runs in the 18-7 beatdown, but Joe Kelly will look to give the bullpen some much-needed rest when he takes the mound against the Jays.
Kelly impressed in his season debut against the New York Yankees, pitching one-hit ball over seven innings, but he unraveled after five strong frames in his most recent start against the Tampa Bay Rays. Kelly will go up against 22-year-old Aaron Sanchez, who is making his first start against the Sox as a starter. Sanchez made five relief appearances against Boston in 2014, allowing one run on four hits in five innings.
Meanwhile, Mike Napoli will be out of the lineup with Daniel Nava taking his spot at first. David Ortiz returns after sitting Sunday while Hanley Ramirez will slot back into left field and Brock Holt will slide over to right.
Check out the Red Sox’s full lineup below.
RED SOX (10-9)
Mookie Betts, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, LF
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Daniel Nava, 1B
Brock Holt, RF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Ryan Hanigan, C
Joe Kelly, RHP (1-0, 4.08 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images