A familiar face is out of the Boston Red Sox’s starting lineup Thursday night.
Second baseman Dustin Pedroia, who’s in a 1-for-22 slump since returning from the 15-day disabled list last week, is not in the Red Sox’s starting lineup against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Brock Holt will start at second in Pedroia’s place.
Mookie Betts and Pablo Sandoval will return to their usual positions after sitting out Wednesday’s 4-2 loss to the Astros. Also, Alejandro De Aza, who started in center field Wednesday, moves over to right field, and Ryan Hanigan will start behind the plate.
Wade Miley will be on the mound for Boston. The left-hander pitched well in his last outing, allowing only one hit and two walks in seven-plus innings Friday, but he didn’t factor in the decision. The Red Sox eventually lost the game on a Mike Trout walk-off home run. Miley enters the game with an 8-8 record and a 4.49 ERA.
Boston has lost seven games in a row and remains winless after the All-Star break.
Here are Thursday’s starting lineups:
RED SOX (42-53)
Mookie Betts, CF
Brock Holt, 2B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
David Ortiz, DH
Hanley Ramirez, LF
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Alejandro De Aza, RF
Mike Napoli, 1B
Ryan Hanigan, C
Wade Miley, LHP (8-8, 4.49 ERA)
ASTROS (53-43)
Jose Altuve, 2B
Marwin Gonzalez, 3B
Carlos Correa, SS
Evan Gattis, DH
Preston Tucker, LF
Chris Carter, 1B
Hank Conger, C
L.J. Hoes, RF
Jake Marisnick, CF
Lance McCullers, RHP (4-3, 2.52 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Troy Taormina/USA TODAY Sports Images
