The experiment is about to begin.
The Boston Red Sox will kick off their 2016 spring training schedule Monday with a doubleheader against Boston College and Northeastern at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Fla. Hanley Ramirez is penciled into the Red Sox’s starting lineup at first base for Game 1 of the twin bill against the Eagles.
Ramirez, who will bat cleanup in the spring opener, is transitioning to first base this season after a disappointing 2015 campaign in left field. Only time will tell whether it’ll be a smooth position change, but Red Sox manager John Farrell and president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski have been pleased with Ramirez’s progress in camp thus far.
Mookie Betts will lead off Monday, with Dustin Pedroia and Xander Bogaerts batting second and third, respectively. There initially was some question as to whether Betts would play center field (his primary position for most of last season) or right field with Jackie Bradley Jr. also in the lineup, but Betts will play in right against BC while Bradley will patrol center and bat ninth. Chris Young, who signed with Boston over the offseason, will start in left and bat sixth.
NESN will carry both games of Monday’s doubleheader. Be sure to tune in at 1 p.m.
The Red Sox’s complete lineup for Game 1 is below.
RED SOX
Mookie Betts, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Hanley Ramirez, 1B
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Chris Young, LF
Blake Swihart, C
Allen Craig, DH
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Steven Wright, RHP
Thumbnail photo via Jonathan Dyer/USA TODAY Sports Images
