BOSTON — The Red Sox can overcome dropping two straight to the Minnesota Twins and still split their four-game series at Fenway Park, but they’d do so with a little less pop in their lineup.
David Ortiz is out of the Red Sox’s lineup Sunday for a pre-planned day of rest and treatment. The designated hitter has pain in his heels that has nagged him for multiple seasons and requires regular rest, so Hanley Ramirez will move into the DH role and bat cleanup.
Travis Shaw will start at first for Ramirez and bat seventh, while Aaron Hill will take over at third base and bat sixth.
Mookie Betts also will remain on the bench after feeling some soreness in his knee Friday, but Red Sox manager John Farrell said pregame that his right fielder is feeling good and could be available later in Sunday’s contest. Until then, Brock Holt will start in right field and bat leadoff, while Bryce Brentz will start in left and bat eighth.
Rick Porcello will be on the bump Sunday and could become the first pitcher to start his season 10-0 at Fenway since Don Schwall did it in 1961. The right-hander has been crushing it in July, going 3-0 with a 1.86 ERA in three outings, all of which were at home.
Here are the lineups for Sunday’s game.
RED SOX (54-41)
Brock Holt, RF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Hanley Ramirez, DH
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Aaron Hill, 3B
Travis Shaw, 1B
Bryce Brentz, LF
Ryan Hanigan, C
Rick Porcello, RHP (12-2, 3.47 ERA)
TWINS (37-60)
Eduardo Nunez, SS
Joe Mauer, 1B
Miguel Sano, 3B
Brian Dozier, 2B
Max Kepler, RF
Kennys Vargas, DH
Eddie Rosario, LF
Juan Centeno, C
Byron Buxton, CF
Tommy Milone, LHP (3-2, 4.71 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports Images
