Red Sox vs. Blue Jays lineups: David Ortiz rests against J.A. Happ

It's been better than a week since David Ortiz last sat out, so we knew it had to be coming. The Red Sox will be without their DH Thursday night as he takes one of the day offs John Farrell let us know would be coming when the slugger finally made his way back from the disabled list.

Fortunately, this day off comes when the Red Sox have a lefty to face. Unfortunately, that lefty is J.A. Happ, the same one that shut them down for five innings in his first start of the year. That could be problematic.

Boston Red Sox (19-8)

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

Starting PItcher -- Ryan Dempster

Toronto Blue Jays (10-18)

1. Brett Lawrie, 3B
2. Adam Lind, 1B
3. Jose Bautista, RF
4. Edwin Encarnacion, 1B
5. J.P. Arencibia, C
6. Melky Cabrera, LF
7. Colby Rasmus, CF
8. Emilio Bonifacio, 2B
9. Munenori Kawasaki, SS

Starting Pitcher -- J.A. Happ

Ryan Dempster hasn't quite had the same consistency as Clay Buchholz to start the year (who has?), but he's certainly proven a reliable addition to the rotation through his first five games. Hopefully if he keeps the Red Sox in the game, the lineup will be able to respond with a better performance than they managed the last time they faced Happ. Maybe something closer to what we saw last night?

Here's hoping.

Read more Red Sox:

• The Red Sox power outage is no more
• John Farrell impacting the Red Sox rotation
• Jon Lester, John Farrell, and an ace’s resurgence
• Despite odds, Red Sox’ 19 games in 19 days a success
• Red Sox producing -- and winning -- without power