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Red Sox vs. Tigers lineups: Slumping Daniel Nava sits

Daniel Nava is on the bench Sunday afternoon, making way for Jonny Gomes.

By Ben Buchanan
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Daniel Nava will ride the pine Sunday afternoon as the Red Sox try to earn a split in their series against the Detroit Tigers.

Boston Red Sox (45-32)

  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. Stephen Drew, SS
  8. Ryan Lavarnway, C
  9. Jose Iglesias, 3B

Starting Pitcher -- Felix Doubront

Detroit Tigers (41-32)

TBA

Starting Pitcher -- Justin Verlander

Jonny Gomes starting against any right-handed starter would be puzzling. Against Justin Verlander, though? It's probably quite telling.

If Gomes is starting with both Daniel Nava and Mike Carp on the bench, the likely explanation is injuries. We've heard Daniel Nava is dealing with a thumb issue, perhaps explaining his sudden lack of production, and Mike Carp was certainly not moving particularly well last night when he made his first start in a week.

Regardless of why, though, it makes for an ugly lineup having Gomes batting sixth against Verlander. And as good as Felix Doubront was in his last outing, it's hard to expect him to really put up a fight against a pitcher like Verlander. Stranger wins have happened, but the chances certainly aren't great.

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