Rick Porcello has been one of the better pitchers in baseball this season and he has the opportunity Wednesday to take the lead in a major statistical category.
The Boston Red Sox right-hander takes a 17-3 record into his start against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. If he can pick up the win, his 18 victories will move him past Toronto Blue Jays pitcher J.A. Happy for the most in Major League Baseball.
Porcello’s chances look good on paper, as he has won nine of his last 10 starts and is facing a Rays team that has mustered just three total runs in its last two games against Boston.
But the Red Sox will be without first baseman Hanley Ramirez, who receives the night off. Travis Shaw will start in his stead and bat eighth, while Brock Holt will man third base and bat seventh.
Andrew Benintendi remains in the lineup at left field batting ninth, while Sandy Leon will bat sixth and do the catching for Porcello.
Here are the lineups for Wednesday’s Red Sox-Rays game.
RED SOX (71-54)
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
David Ortiz, DH
Mookie Betts, RF
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Sandy Leon, C
Brock Holt, 3B
Travis Shaw, 1B
Andrew Benintendi, LF
Rick Porcello, RHP (17-3, 3.22 ERA)
RAYSÂ (52-72)
Logan Forsythe, 2B
Kevin Kiermaier, CF
Evan Longoria, 3B
Brad Miller, DH
Matt Duffy, SS
Logan Morrison, 1B
Steven Souza Jr., RF
Corey Dickerson, LF
Bobby Wilson, C
Matt Andriese, RHP (6-5, 3.66 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports Images
