Red Sox vs. Rays lineups: Ryan Lavarnway starts

Ryan Lavarnway will get a start behind the plate for the Red Sox, batting ninth as they try to shake off a lengthy slump against the Tampa Bay Rays.

With David Ross still out with a concussion, the Sox will have to turn to Lavarnway for duties behind the plate against left-handed pitchers. Jonny Gomes will join him in the lineup, playing left field and batting sixth.

Boston Red Sox (22-16)

1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Shane Victorino, RF
3. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
4. David Ortiz, DH
5. Mike Napoli, 1B
6. Jonny Gomes, LF
7. Will Middlebrooks, 3B
8. Stephen Drew, SS
9. Ryan Lavarnway, C

Starting Pitcher -- John Lackey

Tampa Bay Rays (19-18)

1. Desmond Jennings, CF
2. Matt Joyce, LF
3. Ben Zobrist, RF
4. Evan Longoria, 3B
5. James Loney, 1B
6. Luke Scott, DH
7. Kelly Johnson, 2B
8. Jose Molina, C
9. Yunel Escobar, SS

Starting Pitcher -- Matt Moore

The Red Sox are in desperate need of some wins right now, but it's a tall order to ask for runs from a struggling lineup against Matt Moore. The young lefty has offered up a fair few walks, but with has kept runs off the board so far this year, holding a 2.14 ERA through his first 42 innings. John Lackey has looked surprisingly good this year, but the sort of lockdown performance that might be required can hardly be expected. This will be a tough one.

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