The Red Sox will once again go for the series win Thursday night as they wrap up their four-game set against the Tampa Bay Rays. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. EST with broadcasts on NESN and WEEI.
Pedro Ciriaco will get the start in center field--a promising sign for his future with the team. While he hasn't necessarily played himself into the starting shortstop role for 2013, he's shown enough speed and defense that the Sox have to be interested in keeping him on in some position next season. If he can play center field, that would make him a very useful super utility player.
He'll play in place of Jacoby Ellsbury, getting the day off, and leaving the finally settled lineup a bit of a jumble again. Mike Aviles and Daniel Nava will also see time at third and in right respectively, with Cody Ross taking up the DH role.
Boston Red Sox (68-82)
- Pedro Ciriaco, CF
- Dustin Pedroia, 2B
- Cody Ross, DH
- Ryan Lavarnway, C
- Mauro Gomez, 1B
- Mike Aviles, 3B
- Daniel Nava, RF
- Scott Podsednik, LF
- Jose Iglesias, SS
Tampa Bay Rays (79-70)
- Desmond Jennings, LF
- B.J. Upton, CF
- Ben Zobrist, SS
- Evan Longoria, 3B
- Matt Joyce, RF
- Jeff Keppinger, 2B
- Luke Scott, DH
- Carlos Peña, 1B
- Jose Molina, C
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