Red Sox vs. Tigers lineups: Daniel Nava, Stephen Drew sit against lefty Jose Alvarez

Neither Daniel Nava nor Stephen Drew will start for the Red Sox Thursday night as they take on the Detroit Tigers and their left-handed starting pitcher Jose Alvarez.

Boston Red Sox (44-30)

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. Ryan Lavarnway, C
8. Will Middlebrooks, 3B
9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Starting Pitcher -- John Lackey

Detroit Tigers (39-31)

1. Austin Jackson, CF
2. Torii Hunter, RF
3. Miguel Cabrera, 3B
4. Prince Fielder, 1B
5. Victor Martinez, DH
6. Jhonny Peralta, SS
7. Matt Tuiasosopo, LF
8. Omar Infante, 2B
9. Brayan Pena, C

Starting Pitcher -- Jose Alvarez

While John Lackey bounced back nicely in Boston's lone win over the Rays last weekend, he's facing another formidable challenge in the form of the Detroit Tigers. The Orioles actually aren't that far off the Tigers offensively speaking, despite the names involved, so Lackey--at least the 2013 edition--has shown enough that success tonight would only be surprising in that "oh, what, Lackey hasn't allowed ten runs?" sort of way.

But unfortunately what he does on the mound doesn't really matter. Because Jose Alvarez is not just some lefty. No...

He's a lefty who throws in the high 80s...

And is making his second major league start.

Yes, Jose Alvarez is the soft-tossing lefty straight out of the minor leagues. And for the Red Sox, there is no greater nightmare.*

Read more Red Sox:

• Can the Red Sox rotation hold up?
• MLB Draft 2013: Red Sox sign first-round pick Trey Ball
• Jonny Gomes hits walk-off homer, punts helmet
• Andrew Bailey’s closer role shouldn’t be in danger
• Jose Iglesias has majors’ longest hit streak

*This assertion not necessarily backed by facts.