It begins: a lineup with a different man in leadoff, a makeshift outfield, and I'm sure an awful lot of worrying.
Today's iteration features Mike Aviles leading off, Ross in center, Sweeney in right, and DMac in left. Can it work? Maybe. Aviles leading off isn't ideal, and I'd rather have Sweeney there against a righty, but with the leadoff spot being something of a cursed position on this team I'm almost reluctant to move him from where he's feeling comfortable. Ross in center is obviously not ideal either, and McDonald against righties?
But you have to make due until Crawford gets back. And then, depending on how you feel about him, maybe even after that.
Clay Buchholz will look to match Beckett in bouncing back after a disaster debut. Jeremy Hellickson, on the other hand, will see if he can't keep right on walking that tightrope of his between peripherals and results.
The game is on NESN and WEEI.
Go Sox!