The flu is demolishing the Boston Red Sox’s lineup.
After a couple players came down with the bug in spring training, it’s since been spreading like wildfire, and its latest victim is designated hitter Hanley Ramirez. He and right fielder Mookie Betts, who got sick earlier in the week and was out of Wednesday’s lineup, both are sidelined for the Detroit Tigers’ home opener Friday.
Xander Bogaerts, who was placed on the bereavement list, also will not play Friday.
The Red Sox’s lineup is completely revamped as a result, and it’ll face a tall task going up against Tigers starter and 2016 American League Rookie of the Year Michael Fulmer. Brock Holt will DH and bat leadoff, while left fielder Andrew Benintendi will move down to the three-hole for Betts. First baseman Mitch Moreland is batting cleanup in Ramirez’s stead, and Chris Young will bat fifth and fill in for Betts in right. The bottom of the order moved up, too, to account for Marco Hernandez, who will bat last and take over for Bogaerts at short.
On the mound, Steven Wright is tasked with holding a talented Tigers lineup at bay in his first start of the regular season. The knuckleballer had a solid 2016 season, earning his first All-Star Game nomination, but it was cut short by a shoulder injury he sustained in early August while pinch-running. Wright only started three games this spring training, but he certainly held things down, going 2-0 with a 0.68 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and .133 opponent batting average.
Here are the Red Sox vs. Tigers lineups for Friday’s 1:10 p.m. ET matchup.
RED SOX (2-0)
Brock Holt, DH
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Andrew Benintendi, LF
Mitch Moreland, 1B
Chris Young, RF
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
Sandy Leon, C
Pablo Sandoval, 3B
Marco Hernandez, SS
Steven Wright, LHP (2016 stats: 13-6, 3.33 ERA)
TIGERS (1-1)
Ian Kinsler, 2B
Nick Castellanos, 3B
Miguel Cabrera, 1B
Victor Martinez, DH
Justin Upton, LF
Tyler Collins, RF
James McCann, C
JaCoby Jones, CF
Jose Iglesia, SS
Michael Fulmer, RHP (2016 stats: 11-7, 3.06 ERA)
Thumbnail photo via Jonathan Dyer/USA TODAY Sports Images
