Mookie Betts might be getting some practice for when David Ortiz is no longer around.
The Boston Red Sox right fielder is batting cleanup in Monday’s game against the Indians in Cleveland. Betts was moved from the leadoff spot to the No. 3 hole last week, but he landed in the No. 4 spot after hitting three home runs against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday. Ortiz will bat third.
Travis Shaw will play first base and bat seventh Monday with Hanley Ramirez on the bereavement list, and Aaron Hill bats sixth and plays third. Jackie Bradley Jr. will bat out of Ramirez’s usual No. 5 spot.
Drew Pomeranz is on the mound for the Red Sox, and he’s searching for his elusive first win with Boston. The left-hander had perhaps his best chance for a victory in his last outing Wednesday against the New York Yankees, allowing just one run over 5 1/3 innings, but the bullpen spoiled it with a five-run seventh inning.
Here are both teams’ lineups for Monday.
RED SOX (64-52)
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
David Ortiz, DH
Mookie Betts, RF
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Aaron Hill, 3B
Travis Shaw, 1B
Bryan Holaday, C
Andrew Benintendi, LF
Drew Pomeranz, LHP (8-9, 3.03 ERA)
INDIANS (67-48)
Rajai Davis, CF
Jose Ramirez, 3B
Francisco Lindor, SS
Mike Napoli, DH
Carlos Santana, 1B
Brandon Guyer, LF
Abraham Almonte, RF
Chris Gimenez, C
Michael Martinez, 2B
Josh Tomlin, RHP (11-5, 4.18 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
