The Red Sox will look to even their series against the Athletics at one game a piece, but after the 20-2 defeat they suffered last time, they'll likely be happy with anything reasonable. First pitch is at 9:05 p.m. EST with broadcasts on NESN, the MLB Network, and WEEI.
in the long line of lows this team has suffered through, it's hard to say which is lower: losing 20-2 to Oakland, or batting Scott Podsednik third the day after. Right now, I'm leaning towards the latter. Podsednik, keep in mind, is a 36-year-old outfielder with little-to-no power who has had trouble even sticking with a major league side. He's got a ridiculous average so far this year, but that's based as much on luck as anything else, and frankly he's not the sort of bat who should be hitting anywhere but the bottom three.
Here is though, batting third as Bobby Valentine shifts Ellsbury and Pedroia back up to the 1-2 spot. Is it time for brown bags, Red Sox fans?
Boston Red Sox (62-71)
- Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
- Dustin Pedroia, 2B
- Scott Podsednik, LF
- Cody Ross, RF
- James Loney, 1B
- Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
- Mike Aviles, SS
- Ryan Lavarnway, DH
- Pedro Ciriaco, 3B
Oakland Athletics (74-57)
- Coco Crisp, CF
- Jonny Gomes, DH
- Josh Reddick, RF
- Yoenis Cespedes, LF
- Chris Carter, 1B
- Brandon Inge, 3B
- Derek Norris, C
- Brandon Hicks, SS
- Adam Rosales, 2B
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