Facing a possible 3-1 hole in the 2013 World Series, the Red Sox are going slightly reactionary with their lineup for Game 4, starting David Ross behind the plate in place of Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
[UPDATE] Shane Victorino is a late scratch with back tightness. Daniel Nava will play right field, Jonny Gomes left.
Boston Red Sox (1-2)
- Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
- Daniel Nava, RF
- Dustin Pedroia, 2B
- David Ortiz, 1B
- Jonny Gomes, LF
- Xander Bogaerts, 3B
- Stephen Drew, SS
- David Ross, C
- Clay Buchholz, SP
St. Louis Cardinals (2-1)
- Matt Carpenter, 2B
- Carlos Beltran, RF
- Matt Holliday, LF
- Matt Adams, 1B
- Yadier Molina, C
- Jon Jay, CF
- David Freese, 3B
- Daniel Descalso, SS
- Lance Lynn, P
One has to wonder: is David Ross catching this game if Jarrod Saltalamacchia simply holds the ball on that final play? Whatever your feeling on the obstruction call that ended the game, there should be no question that the real blame for that travesty lies on Jarrod Saltalamacchia almost perfectly replicating the ill-conceived throw from Craig Breslow that cost the Red Sox in Game 2.
One also wonders if Will Middlebrooks would be starting for Stephen Drew if he had done anything in his one opportunity at the plate or made a play on Matt Holliday's double. Instead he reminded the Red Sox that, if neither one is doing anything at the plate, the deciding factor has to be the glove.
Either way, it's hard to say the Red Sox will miss the contributions of Saltalamacchia. He's been as lost at the plate as anyone save Drew in the postseason, and doesn't provide nearly a sure a hand behind it as David Ross. With Clay Buchholz such a major question mark tonight, every little bit helps.