A day after sitting against James Shields--and a day after Bobby Valentine's comments on him incited a fair bit of controversy--Kevin Youkilis is back in the lineup against Colby Lewis and the Texas Rangers.
While Kevin Youkilis was out ostensibly due to a groin injury--and perhaps also due to his bad career numbers against James Shields--the timing was inconvenient, to say the least, with Bobby Valentine's comments on Youkilis not being as "into the game" coming into the spotlight just hours before first pitch. Youkilis' production had been improving heading into Monday, however, so hopefully the day off doesn't stop his momentum.
The Rangers will counter with a lineup which features Mike Napoli batting seventh. It's a scary thought until you realize he's been dropped beneath the good-not-great likes of Michael Young and Nelson Cruz after a slow start, but even then this is one powerhouse bunch. It's not until Yorvit Torrealba in the eighth spot where Lester can perhaps take a breath, and then things start right back up with Ian Kinsler batting leadoff.
Boston Red Sox (4-6)
- Mike Aviles, SS
- Dustin Pedroia, 2B
- Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
- David Ortiz, DH
- Kevin Youkilis, 3B
- Ryan Sweeney, RF
- Cody Ross, LF
- Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
- Jason Repko, CF
Texas Rangers (8-2)
- Ian Kinsler, 2B
- Elvis Andrus, SS
- Josh Hamilton, LF
- Adrian Beltre, 3B
- Michael Young, DH
- Nelson Cruz, RF
- Mike Napoli, 1B
- Yorvit Torrealba, C
- Craig Gentry, CF