The Red Sox will have Daisuke Matsuzaka back on the mound Monday afternoon as they try to take a series victory over the Kansas City Royals. First pitch is at 1:35 p.m. EST with broadcasts on NESN and WEEI.
The return of Daisuke is an event few were looking forward to. Ever since his charmed season in 2008, Matsuzaka has been more-or-less useless to the Red Sox, providing them with just 270 innings of 5.17 ERA ball over four seasons worth of games. Most fans would just as soon be done with him, but at this point the Red Sox have little to lose, so he'll make at least a few more appearances before finally departing from the team.
Otherwise, it's pretty standard fare from the Red Sox today, complete with the constantly switching Scott Podsednik and Pedro Ciriaco at one and nine, respectively this time.
Boston Red Sox (61-67)
- Scott Podsednik, LF
- Dustin Pedroia, 2B
- Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
- Cody Ross, RF
- James Loney, 1B
- Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
- Mauro Gomez, DH
- Mike Aviles, SS
- Pedro Ciriaco, 3B
Kansas City Royals (56-70)
- Jarrod Dyson, CF
- Alcides Escobar, SS
- Alex Gordon, LF
- Billy Butler, DH
- Salvador Perez, C
- Mike Moustakas, 3B
- Lorenzo Cain, RF
- Eric Hosmer, 1B
- Johnny Giavotella, 2B