The Boston Red Sox are looking for their first series sweep of 2015 on Sunday, and they’ll do so with a few tweaks to their lineup.
Pablo Sandoval is back in the batting order after sitting the first two games against the Oakland Athletics this weekend following a two-error performance in Boston’s loss to the Minnesota Twins on Thursday. The third baseman will bat sixth, as shortstop Xander Bogaerts slides down to the No. 7 spot.
Mookie Betts has the day off for the series finale against the A’s, and Rusney Castillo will take his spot in center field and bat ninth. Brock Holt will keep his No. 2 spot in the order and play in right field with the right-handed Kendall Graveman on the mound for Oakland, and Sandy Leon will catch and bat eighth as Blake Swihart gets a breather.
Clay Buchholz will be on the bump for Boston and will be looking to continue a string of dominant outings. The righty has turned in five straight quality starts, with the last one being an eight-inning, three-hit shutout against the Twins where he fanned eight batters.
Check out both teams’ lineups below.
RED SOX (26-31)
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Brock Holt, RF
Hanley Ramirez, LF
David Ortiz, DH
Mike Napoli, 1B
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Sandy Leon, C
Rusney Castillo, CF
Clay Buchholz, RHP (3-6, 3.82 ERA)
ATHLETICS (23-35)
Billy Burns, CF
Marcus Semien, SS
Stephen Vogt, 1B
Billy Butler, DH
Josh Reddick, RF
Brett Lawrie, 3B
Mark Canha, LF
Josh Phegley, C
Eric Sogard, 2B
Kendall Graveman, RHP (3-2, 5.56 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports Images
