clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Red Sox vs. Rays lineups: More of the same for flagging Red Sox

The Red Sox are struggling, but John Farrell isn't going to act on it just yet.

By Ben Buchanan
Jared Wickerham

The Red Sox are in a complete nosedive that's shown no signs of slowing or stopping, but that's not phasing them. It will be more of the same from the lineup as they try to ride out the storm and get back to winning.

Boston Red Sox (22-17)

  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. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
  9. Stephen Drew, SS

Starting Pitcher -- Jon Lester

Tampa Bay Rays (20-18)

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

Starting Pitcher -- David Price

It's a battle of aces which should be decided more by the pitching than anything else. And yet, after yesterday, I wouldn't put it past the defense to find some way to be the difference. Or maybe the stadium. Or a gust of wind which is spontaneously generated in a domed environment and carries an infield fly out for a homer. Or maybe a bird will do the honors. Who knows? At the moment, though, anything that can go wrong seems to do so.

The Red Sox, though, stand resolute. Jacoby Ellsbury still at the top of the order despite a .545 OPS in May, Jonny Gomes still getting starts against lefties while Nava wilts on the bench. Hopefully they pull their weight tonight, but more and more it seems like leaving any stone unturned in trying to reverse course amounts to harmful negligence. Something has to change soon, be it the losing trend, or John Farrell's come-what-may approach to handling it.

Read more Red Sox:

More From Over the Monster