The Boston Red Sox are going with the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” method for the second contest of their four-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Red Sox trotted out nearly the exact same lineup for their last four games, and Tuesday’s matchup is no different. Boston doesn’t have many options thanks to injuries to left fielder Hanley Ramirez and second baseman Dustin Pedroia (who was sent to the 15-day disabled list Thursday), but the team has managed to take three of its last five without them, including a 3-1 win in Monday’s series opener.
The only slot in the lineup the Red Sox have changed has been the No. 8 spot, which will be occupied by catcher Blake Swihart on Tuesday in place of Sandy Leon.
Eduardo Rodriguez will be on the mound in Toronto after getting shellacked by the Baltimore Orioles in his last outing. The young lefty has shown flashes of brilliance following his MLB debut this season, but the O’s lit him up with six earned runs in 3 2/3 innings. His last start against the Blue Jays this season didn’t go so hot, either, as he gave up nine earned runs in 4 2/3 innings.
Here are both lineups for Tuesday night’s contest.
RED SOX (35-43)
Mookie Betts, CF
Brock Holt, 2B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
David Ortiz, DH
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Mike Napoli, 1B
Alejandro De Aza, LF
Blake Swihart, C
Jackie Bradley Jr., RF
Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP (3-2, 4.33 ERA)
BLUE JAYS (41-37)
Jose Reyes, SS
Josh Donaldson, DH
Jose Bautista, RF
Edwin Encarnacion, 1B
Chris Colabello, LF
Danny Valencia, 3B
Dioner Navarro, C
Kevin Pillar, CF
Devon Travis, 2B
Marco Estrada, RHP (5-3, 3.45 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Brad Rempel/ USA TODAY Sports Images
