Mookie Betts Will Miss His Sixth Straight Game Friday Vs. Astros
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Red Sox were hoping to have have one of their best hitters back in the lineup Friday night in Houston.
But that is not the case, as Mookie Betts is once again out of the lineup for Boston with left side tightness. Betts has not played since being a late scratch from the Boston lineup on Sunday.
Here is Boston's full lineup for Friday night against the Astros:
1. Andrew Benintendi, LF
2. Xander Bogaerts, SS
3. Mitch Moreland, 1B
4. J.D. Martinez, RF
5. Rafael Devers, 3B
6. Eduardo Nunez, DH
7. Brock Holt, 2B
8. Sandy Leon, C
9. Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
-- Chris Sale, SP
Betts has been one of the best hitters in baseball this season, leading the American League with a .359 average to go with his 17 homers and 37 RBIs. Boston manager Alex Cora said after Thursday night's loss to the Astros that he didn't think Betts would have to be placed on the disabled list, but added that the team would not push him back early.
"It makes no sense for us to push him," said Cora. "We've been taking care of guys from Day One of Spring Training."
Second baseman Dustin Pedroia is also out of the lineup on Friday. He was a late scratch from Thursday night's lineup due to soreness in his left knee, the same knee he had surgery on in October. Pedroia started the season on the DL and has played in just three games since being activated on May 26. He has gone 1-for-11 since his return from the disabled list.
