The 2011 Boston Red Sox season begins Friday, the second day of baseball's two-part Opening Day (six games on Thursday, including Tigers-Yankees, officially start the new season), in Arlington, Texas. The Red Sox, led by new acquisitions Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez, take on the defending American League champions in a three-game series beginning Friday at 4:05 p.m. ET.
Jon Lester is the Opening Day starter for the Red Sox, while the Rangers are handing the ball to C.J. Wilson. On Thursday, manager Terry Francona released the Red Sox' starting lineup for Friday:
1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF
2. Dustin Pedroia 2B
3. Carl Crawford LF
4. Kevin Youkilis 3B
5. Adrian Gonzalez 1B
6. David Ortiz DH
7. Mike Cameron RF
8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
9. Marco Scutaro SS
Before you freak out, this is not necessarily the regular lineup -- with Wilson, a devastating lefty, on the mound, J.D. Drew sits in favor of Cameron.
Opening Weekend Series at Texas Rangers:
Fri., April 1, 4:05 p.m.
ESPN/NESN
Jon Lester vs. C.J. Wilson
Sat., April 2, 8:05 p.m.
NESN
John Lackey vs. Colby Lewis
Sun., April 3, 2:05 p.m.
NESN
Clay Buchholz vs. Matt Harrison