The Boston Red Sox likely are feeling more refreshed for Sunday’s contest against the New York Yankees, so their lineup is getting some power back as they look to complete a series sweep of their rivals.
Outfielders Mookie Betts and Hanley Ramirez are back in the batting order after Friday’s 19-inning affair forced them to the bench for Saturday’s early game. Betts will lead off, while Ramirez will bat in the cleanup spot.
Right fielder Shane Victorino also will start and bat seventh. Saturday’s outfield of Daniel Nava, Brock Holt and Allen Craig all will take a seat for the series finale against the Yankees.
As for Sunday night’s pitching matchup, New York’s Masahiro Tanaka will look to rebound from his rough Opening Day start against the Toronto Blue Jays that saw him chased from the game after four innings. Tanaka gave up five runs (four earned) on five hits in the Yanks’ 6-1 loss, though he did have six strikeouts.
Boston’s starter, on the other hand, will be looking to build on a dominant start to the 2015 season. Clay Buchholz will be on a bump for the Red Sox after delivering an ace-like performance in Boston’s 8-0 Opening Day win against the Philadelphia Phillies. The right-hander gave up just three hits with nine strikeouts and only one walk over seven shutout frames.
Here are the complete lineups for Sunday’s Red Sox-Yankees matchup.
Boston Red Sox (4-1)
Mookie Betts, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, LF
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Mike Napoli, 1B
Shane Victorino, RF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Ryan Hanigan, C
Clay Buchholz, RHP (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
New York Yankees (1-4)
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Brett Gardner, LF
Carlos Beltran, RF
Mark Teixeira, 1B
Brian McCann, C
Alex Rodriguez, DH
Chase Headley, 3B
Stephen Drew, 2B
Didi Gregorius, SS
Masahiro Tanaka, RHP (0-1, 9.00 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Anthony Gruppuso/USA TODAY Sports Images
