The Red Sox will field a patchwork lineup for at least one more day as they wait for their injured players to mend.
The first man to come back will likely be Jacoby Ellsbury, who's expected to play Tuesday after missing three games following a nasty hit by pitch against the Royals. For tonight, though, it will be Darnell McDonald once again filling in for the young All-Star in center field--though given the lefty on the mound, it's arguably Josh Reddick who's doing the filling in.
Up next will be David Ortiz, who has started taking batting practice again, though he is still in the walking boot at least for now. Ryan Lavarnway will continue to fill in as the designated hitter after picking up five hits and two walks in the last three games.
Kevin Youkilis is still a bit further off, but there's good news in some of the longer-term injuries, too. Clay Buchholz expects to throw again soon, though he's yet to be cleared by doctors. J.D. Drew is also finally set to begin a rehab schedule, and is expected to return when rosters expand in September.
For now, though, it's Darnell, Lavarnway, Lowrie, and the rest.
Boston Red Sox (77-49)
- Marco Scutaro, SS
- Darnell McDonald, CF
- Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
- Dustin Pedroia, 2B
- Jed Lowrie, 3B
- Ryan Lavarnway, DH
- Carl Crawford, LF
- Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
- Josh Reddick, RF
Texas will field a typically formidable bunch--the sort which will likely make Sox fans remember fondly what they're used to having.
Texas Rangers (73-55)
- Ian Kinsler, 2B
- Elvis Andrus, SS
- Josh Hamilton, LF
- Michael Young, 3B
- Nelson Cruz, RF
- Mike Napoli, C
- Mitch Moreland, 1B
- Yorvit Torrealba, DH
- Craig Gentry, CF
Pitching Matchup: Erik Bedard (4-8, 3.44 ERA) vs. C.J. Wilson (12-5, 3.20 ERA)
Tim Wakefield is not the only one struggling to find wins--Erik Bedard has gone without in his first month with the club, too. And, much like Wakefield, it's not really his fault. A holder of a 3.38 ERA in his three starts with the team, Bedard has only had trouble finding supporting runs--they've scored all of nine for him--a decent strike zone, and some solid defense. This will be his toughest test to date, but with his fastball velocity and curveball control being what they've been of late, he should stand a decent shot.
C.J. Wilson has made it clear that he's a keeper after transitioning to a starting role last year last year. If the league had made any progress towards figuring him out in 2010, then his increased reliance on an impressive curveball has made up for it. His ground ball rates keep him from getting into too much trouble in Arlington, though with the Sox lacking some big bats, that might not be much of an issue tonight anyways. Neither Bedard nor Wilson really stand out as the best of the best, but we could be in for a pitchers' duel tonight.