Monday Red Sox Lineups: Jackie Bradley Jr. Bats Third Against Pirates

The Red Sox will send only a few starters to Bradenton to take on the Pirates Monday afternoon.

While Shane Victorino is travelling as he tries to catch up post-WBC, and Jarrod Saltalamacchia will make the trip to start behind the plate, they're the only two players in Bradenton expected to be in the starting nine.

In fact, the names filling out the bottom of the lineup are fairly unusual even for the backups. Travis Shaw will get the start at first, making just his second appearance in a major league spring training game. Third baseman Jon Hee is in much the same boat, with just two at bats to his name.

Boston Red Sox

1. Shane Victorino, RF
2. Daniel Nava, LF
3. Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
4. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
5. Ryan Lavarnway, DH
6. Travis Shaw, 1B
7. Heiker Meneses, SS
8. Ryan Dent, 2B
9. Jon Hee, 3B

Starting Pitcher -- Clay Buchholz

Shockingly, Jackie Bradley is in the midst of a 1-for-8 slump, allowing us to confirm that he is not in fact perfect. This has dropped his average to a startlingly low .444, leaving him sixth amongst all "qualified" players this spring. Also doing quite well for himself is the man following him up: Jarrod Saltalamacchia, who has a 1.141 OPS in his 26 at bats.

Clay Buchholz will have a tough time following up Jon Lester's performance on Sunday. He could be better, but it's going to require better than a strikeout per inning, all of which have to be perfect, so good luck with that.