The Red Sox will open a four-game set against the Rays Monday night as they once again try to play spoiler in the AL East. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. EST with broadcasts on NESN, the MLB Network, and WEEI.
The Sox seem to have settled into a usual lineup of late, and with it staying the same against the right-handed Alex Cobb, perhaps it will remain the same for most of the rest of the year. It gets at bats for players like Pedro Ciriaco, Ryan Lavarnway, and Jose Iglesias, and keeps the middle of the order as strong and as deep as possible.
Of course, it's still quite weak, but the same can be said of Tampa Bay's. But they have the pitching.
Boston Red Sox (66-81)
- Pedro Ciriaco, 3B
- Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
- Dustin Pedroia, 2B
- Cody Ross, RF
- James Loney, 1B
- Jarrod Saltalamacchia, DH
- Ryan Lavarnway, C
- Scott Podsednik, LF
- Jose Iglesias, SS
Tampa Bay Rays (78-68)
- Desmond Jennings, LF
- B.J. Upton, CF
- Ben Zobrist, SS
- Matt Joyce, RF
- Luke Scott, DH
- Jeff Keppinger, 3B
- Carlos Pena, 1B
- Ryan Roberts, 2B
- Jose Molina, C
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