Red Sox Lineup 5/30/12: The Nick Punto Problem Continues

Usually when you hear that an injury to a major member of the Red Sox is perhaps not as bad as it sounds, and may not even necessitate a trip to the disabled list, that's good news.

Unfortunately, even if Dustin Pedroia's torn muscle does not keep him out for two weeks, in the meantime we have to live with the consequences of being a roster spot short. And for now, that means playing Nick Punto, complete with his .446 OPS, inability to catch pop-ups, and the fun experience of watching broadcasters praise him for falling face-first and making a mess of a ground ball which could have otherwise been a simple, routine play.

So that'll be fun.

Otherwise, we've got a bunch of right-handed hitters playing against the left-handed Drew Smyly. So that will work out for as long as he's in the game. Better not do that thing where we chase a guy after five innings and one run, because frankly that might not be the best scenario for this game.