The Boston Red Sox are looking to do something Wednesday they haven’t done all season long: extend a winning streak to four games.
The Red Sox will close a brief two-game series against the Miami Marlins at Fenway Park, and they’ll do so with David Ortiz at first base. Ortiz, who also played first Sunday, will make another rare appearance in the field as Hanley Ramirez serves as the designated hitter and regular first baseman Mike Napoli sits again.
While Boston clearly is doing what it can to get Napoli out of the lineup, it wouldn’t hurt to see Ortiz get hot. The veteran does have three home runs in his last 10 games, but he’s hitting just .176 (6-for-34) with eight strikeouts over that stretch.
Rick Porcello will start on the mound for the Red Sox. He’s looking to do something he hasn’t done since May 16, which is win a start. He’s lost his last seven decisions and turned in one of his worst starts of the season last time out. Porcello lasted just two innings against the Toronto Blue Jays, allowing seven runs — including three home runs — in Toronto’s eventual 11-2 win.
Tom Koehler starts for the Marlins. He’s making his first career appearance versus the Red Sox.
RED SOXÂ (40-45)
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
Rick Porcello, RHP (4-9, 6.08 ERA)
MARLINSÂ (35-49)
Dee Gordon, 2B
Christian Yelich, LF
Adeiny Hechavarria, SS
Justin Bour, 1B
Michael Morse, DH
Derek Dietrich, 3B
J.T. Relamuto, C
Cole Gillepsie, CF
Ichiro Suzuki, RF
Tom Koehler, RHP (7-4, 3.52 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
