After yo-yoing from a disappointing extra-innings loss Friday to a dominant 6-1 win Saturday, the Boston Red Sox are shaking things up a bit for their series finale against the Houston Astros.
Mike Napoli went 0-for-9 with four strikeouts in the first two games of the series, bringing his average below the Mendoza line at .192, and for that, he’ll take a seat Sunday. David Ortiz will man first base in Napoli’s stead and bat cleanup, while Hanley Ramirez will follow Ortiz in the lineup and take over as designated hitter.
Ramirez’s move gives Alejandro De Aza, who’s batting eighth, a chance to start in left field. Ryan Hanigan also is back in the lineup and batting ninth after Clay Buchholz started Saturday with his favorite batterymate Sandy Leon.
Eduardo Rodriguez will be on the bump for the Red Sox as they look to win the series against a red-hot Astros team, which has the best record in the American League and the second best in all of Major League Baseball going into Sunday’s contest. The young lefty is coming off a dominant win on June 30, during which he gave up just four hits and one run to a potent Toronto Blue Jays lineup.
Check out both teams’ lineups for Sunday, July 5.
RED SOX (38-45)
Mookie Betts, CF
Brock Holt, 2B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
David Ortiz, 1B
Hanley Ramirez, DH
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Shane Victorino, RF
Alejandro De Aza, LF
Ryan Hanigan, C
Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP (4-2, 3.92 ERA)
ASTROS (48-35)
Jose Altuve, DH
Preston Tucker, RF
Carlos Correa, SS
Evan Gattis, LF
Luis Valbuena, 3B
Chris Carter, 1B
Marwin Gonzalez, 2B
Jason Castro, C
Jake Marisnick, CF
Lance McCullers, RHP (4-2, 2.19 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports Images
