Pablo Sandoval has a chance to snap out of his right-handed funk.
Sandoval, who is 2-for-34 with 12 strikeouts as a right-handed hitter against left-handed pitchers this season, will return to the Boston Red Sox’s starting lineup Friday as the Seattle Mariners counter with lefty starter J.A. Happ in the second game of a four-game series at Safeco Field.
Sandoval sat out the beginning of Thursday’s series opener with southpaw Roenis Elias on the bump for Seattle. The switch-hitting third baseman entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning, though, and was plunked in the stomach by Mariners closer Fernando Rodney.
It’s worth noting that Sandoval is batting seventh Friday, so the Red Sox seemingly are safeguarding themselves, to some extent, against the left-hander. Most of Sandoval’s starts this season either have been out of the No. 5 spot (21 starts) or the No. 6 spot (seven starts) in Boston’s order.
Shane Victorino will earn his second consecutive start in right field Friday. Red Sox manager John Farrell’s decision likely has a lot to do with a lefty being on the mound for the Mariners, but Victorino’s performance in Thursday’s 2-1 win certainly helped the veteran’s cause. Victorino hit his first home run of the season, reached base three times and made a great defensive play in the seventh inning.
Sandy Leon will start behind the dish with Clay Buchholz toeing the rubber for Boston.
The complete lineups for Friday’s Red Sox-Mariners matchup below.
RED SOX (17-18)
Mookie Betts, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, LF
Mike Napoli, 1B
Shane Victorino, RF
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Sandy Leon, C
Clay Buchholz, RHP (2-4, 5.73 ERA)
MARINERS (15-19)
Seth Smith, LF
Brad Miller, SS
Robinson Cano, 2B
Nelson Cruz, RF
Kyle Seager, 3B
Justin Ruggiano, CF
Logan Morrison, 1B
Rickie Weeks, DH
Mike Zunino, C
J.A. Happ, LHP (3-1, 3.29 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Robert Stanton/USA TODAY Sports Images
