An early season interleague series is allowing David Ortiz a little break just as the season is starting.
Ortiz started at first base for the Boston Red Sox on Opening Day, but he’ll sit to begin game No. 2 on Wednesday night against the Philadelphia Phillies. Ortiz actually gets two days off as the teams had an off day Tuesday.
With Ortiz out of the lineup, Mike Napoli gets a chance to make his first start of the season. The first baseman was an interleague casualty to start Monday, but he did enter the game as a defensive replacement and walked in his only plate appearance.
Napoli and the Red Sox are looking to build on an incredible Opening Day showing in which the Boston offense exploded for eight runs behind five home runs.
The Phillies will send Aaron Harang to the mound in search of the club’s first win of 2015. This should be welcomed news for Hanley Ramirez, who has worn out Harang. The Red Sox left fielder owns a .345 career average (10-for-29) with five home runs and seven RBIs against the right-hander.
The Red Sox turn to Rick Porcello, who’s making his first start with his new club, which also marks his first appearance since signing a four-year contract extension Monday.
Here are the lineups for both clubs.
RED SOX (1-0)
Mookie Betts, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Hanley Ramirez, LF
Mike Napoli, 1B
Daniel Nava, RF
Ryan Hanigan, C
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Rick Porcello, P
PHILLIES (0-1)
Ben Revere, CF
Carlos Ruiz, C
Chase Utley, 2B
Ryan Howard, 1B
Darin Ruf, LF
Cody Asche, 3B
Jeff Francoeur, RF
Freddy Galvis, SS
Aaron Harang, P
Thumbnail photo via Bill Streicher/USA TODAY Sports Images
