Red Sox Opening Day Lineup
BOSTON (CBS) - Opening Day is here, and so is the first Red Sox lineup of the season.
The Boston Red Sox are set to open the 2012 season in Detroit against the Tigers, as they look to put all that went on in 2011 behind them.
Read: Red Sox Set Opening Day Roster
Bobby Valentine filled out his first lineup card as Red Sox manager, and there aren't any surprises when it comes to the order:
1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF
2. Dustin Pedroia 2B
3. Adrian Gonzalez 1B
4. David Ortiz DH
5. Kevin Youkilis 3B
6. Ryan Sweeney RF
7. Cody Ross LF
8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
9. Mike Aviles SS
- Jon Lester P
Read: 2012 Red Sox Predictions
Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis are looking to keep their Opening Day hit streaks alive, as both have hit safely in each the last five season openers. Pedroia is 8-for-18 with a double, two home runs and four RBI, with Youkilis 9-for-19 with four doubles, a triple, and three RBI on Opening Day the last five years.
Read: Dan Roche's 2012 Season Preview
It will not be easy though, as they'll have to face reigning Cy Young and MVP winner Justin Verlander of Detroit. Luckily for the Sox, Youkilis and Ortiz have has success against Verlander in their careers. Youkilis is 6-for-20 while Ortiz is 5-for-18 against Verlander, with each of the Sox batters taking him deep twice.
