Brock Holt has rejoined the Red Sox, replacing Will Middlebrooks who is headed to the disabled list with a broken finger. Also back in the lineup:Shane Victorino, who's batting second after missing the last couple games.
While Victorino is back, Jackie Bradley Jr. is absent, pushing Grady Sizemore into center field for today. Mike Carp will take over his spot in left field, with Xander Bogaerts falling all the way down to eighth in the batting order ahead of Holt. Frankly, it's likely an offensive upgrade for the Red Sox given the performance of Jackie Bradley Jr. and Will Middlebrooks at the plate, but the defense could be ugly, particularly in the outfield.
The problem again lies in who they're facing. Rick Porcello's name perhaps does not jump off the page quite as much as Max Scherzer, Anibal Sanchez, or Justin Verlander. But with a 3.22 ERA and a 29:6 K:BB, Porcello is not only maintaining his typically impressive peripherals, but finally translating them into equally impressive results. John Lackey, of course, is no pushover himself, but that equation didn't so much work out for the Red Sox last night.
First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. EST with broadcasts on NESN, WEEI, and the MLB Network.