The Red Sox will kick off their four-game series against the Royals with David Ortiz back in the lineup Friday night as they send Jon Lester to the mound against Bruce Chen. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. EST with broadcasts on NESN and WEEI.
While one would have hoped that the return of Adrian Gonzalez to the lineup would have at least restored some semblance of regularity to the Boston lineup, it seems that's not the case. Despite having the obvious 3-4 combo spelled out for him, Bobby Valentine is electing to bat Ortiz fourth and Gonzalez fifth, all to facilitate Pedro Ciriaco remaining at the top of the order.
Maybe it's about getting Ciriaco as many at bats as possible, who knows? But it's just frustrating that the Sox won't seize the chance for some normalcy went it's presented to them.
Boston Red Sox (59-66)
- Pedro Ciriaco, 3B
- Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
- Dustin Pedroia, 2B
- David Ortiz, DH
- Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
- Cody Ross, RF
- Ryan Lavarnway, C
- Mike Aviles, SS
- Scott Podsednik, LF
Kansas City Royals (55-58)
- Lorenzo Cain, CF
- Alcides Escobar, SS
- Alex Gordon, LF
- Billy Butler, DH
- Jeff Francoeur, RF
- Mike Moustakas, 3B
- Brayan Pena, C
- Eric Hosmer, 1B
- Johnny Giavotella, 2B
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