Red Sox vs. Twins lineups: Mike Napoli, Shane Victorino sit against Vance Worley

The Red Sox will have Mike Carp playing in place of Mike Napoli Friday night as their starting first baseman gets some rest against the right-handed Vance Worley.

Boston Red Sox (24-17)

1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Daniel Nava, RF
3. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
4. David Ortiz, DH
5. Will Middlebrooks, 3B
6. Stephen Drew, SS
7. Jonny Gomes, LF
8. Mike Carp, 1B
9. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C

Starting Pitcher -- Clay Buchholz

Minnesota Twins (18-19)

1. Brian Dozier, 2B
2. Chris Parmelee, RF
3. Josh Willingham, DH
4. Justin Morneau, 1B
5. Ryan Doumit, C
6. Oswaldo Arcia, LF
7. Trevor Plouffe, 3B
8. Aaron Hicks, CF
9. Pedro Florimon, SS

Starting Pitcher -- Vance Worley

While Vance Worley was able to hold the Red Sox in check well enough to keep the Twins in the game (and actually leading for much of it) the last time these two teams met, it makes sense that the Sox would choose now to give Napoli a day off with the very favorable pitching matchup they'll enjoy tonight.

Victorino's absence, on the other hand, is not so much a matter of convenience. The right fielder was removed before the bottom of the ninth last night, and is apparently dealing with a bad back again after crashing into the right field wall to make a big catch in the eighth. Jonny Gomes will play in his place.

Of course, a couple weeks ago having Will Middlebrooks and Stephen Drew batting fifth and sixth would look like end-of-the-world stuff. And, to be sure, it's still not an ideal scenario. Each one seems to have turned it on at the plate of late, however, so hopefully the Sox will be able to weather this storm without too much difficulty.

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