The Boston Red Sox have split the first two games of the 2018 season against the Tampa Bay Rays, and they’ll send right-hander Rick Porcello to the mound Saturday at Tropicana Field in Game 3 of the four-game series.
The Rays, who have decided to hold a spot in their rotation as a “bullpen day,” will counter with Andrew Kittredge. Kittredge, 28, is a reliever, not a starter, so he’ll be the first of many pitchers to take the mound for Tampa Bay.
Boston’s lineup will look a little different Saturday, with Rafael Devers, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Christian Vazquez all getting the day off. Eduardo Nunez will slide over to third base for Devers and Brock Holt will get the start at second base. Sandy Leon will do the catching for Porcello and hit ninth.
J.D. Martinez, meanwhile, will get the call in left field with Andrew Benintendi moving to center and Hanley Ramirez taking over at designated hitter. Mitch Moreland gets the nod at first base and will bat sixth.
Here are your lineups for Red Sox vs. Rays:
BOSTON RED SOX (1-1)
Mookie Betts, RF
Andrew Benintendi, CF
Hanley Ramirez, DH
J.D. Martinez, LF
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Mitch Moreland, 1B
Eduardo Nunez, 3B
Brock Holt, 2B
Sandy Leon, C
Rick Porcello, RHP (2017 stats: 11-17, 4.65 ERA)
TAMPA BAY RAYS (1-1)
Denard Span, DH
Kevin Kiermaier, CF
Carlos Gomez, RF
Brad Miller, 1B
Matt Duffy, 3B
Joey Wendle, 2B
Adeiny Hechavarria, SS
Mallex Smith, LF
Jesus Sucre, C
Andrew Kittredge, RHP (2017 stats: 0-1, 1.76 ERA)
