The Boston Red Sox are switching up their lineup for their series finale against the Tampa Bay Rays.
David Ortiz will receive a day off Thursday, which is unsurprising given the Red Sox are playing an afternoon game after a night game. Hanley Ramirez will return to the lineup as the designated hitter and bat in the cleanup spot. Travis Shaw will take Ramirez’s post at first base and bat eighth, while Aaron Hill will slot in at third base and bat seventh. Chris Young also will start in left field and bat sixth after Andrew Benintendi injured his knee during Wednesday night’s game.
Drew Pomeranz is on the mound for the Red Sox and he’ll be trying to get a full game in after his last start in Detroit was cut short by a long rain delay. The lefty has been pitching well in August so far, going 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA in four starts.
Here are the Red Sox’s and the Rays’ lineups for Thursday.
RED SOX (71-55)
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Mookie Betts, RF
Hanley Ramirez, DH
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Chris Young, LF
Aaron Hill, 3B
Travis Shaw, 1B
Bryan Holaday, C
Drew Pomeranz, LHP (10-9, 2.95 ERA)
RAYS (53-72)
Logan Forsythe, 2B
Kevin Kiermaier, CF
Evan Longoria, 3B
Brad Miller, 1B
Danny Duffy, SS
Corey Dickerson, DH
Steven Souza Jr., RF
Mikie Mahtook, LF
Luke Maile, C
Jake Odorizzi, RHP (8-5, 3.63 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
