Red Sox Lineup: Middlebrooks Batting Second, Pedroia Cleaning Up
BOSTON (CBS) - The Boston Red Sox kick off a three-game series against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park Friday night, and will have a new face hitting in the two-spot.
In just his second major league game, third baseman Will Middlebrooks will bat second on Friday. Middlebrooks, called up to fill in for the injured Kevin Youkilis, was 2-for-3 in his Major League debut in Boston's 4-2 loss to the Athetlics Wednesday night.
Read: Red Sox-Orioles Preview
With Middlebrooks in the two-spot, Dustin Pedroia will slide down to cleanup. It's a spot the Red Sox second baseman has thrived in, batting a career .397 with seven homers and 28 RBI in 31 games batting fourth.
Here is the full Red Sox lineup for Friday's game:
1. Mike Aviles, SS
2. Will Middlebrooks, 3B
3. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
4. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
5. David Ortiz, DH
6. Cody Ross, RF
7. Darnell McDonald,
8. Marlon Byrd,
9. Kelly Shoppach, C
Read: No Excuses For Slumping Adrian Gonzalez
The Red Sox turn to lefty Jon Lester to stop a two-game losing skid. Lester is a career 14-0 in 18 career starts against the Orioles, the longest win streak ever against the Orioles franchise to begin a career. Lester has a chance to tie Roy Oswalt, who is the only pitcher in Major League history to win his first 15 decisions against a team (the Cincinnati Reds from 2001-2005).
