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Red Sox vs. Blue Jays lineups: No David Ortiz against Mark Buehrle

David Ortiz will sit Sunday afternoon as the Red Sox go for a series victory against the Blue Jays

By Ben Buchanan
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Red Sox will be without David Ortiz Sunday afternoon as they attempt to secure a series victory against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Boston Red Sox (49-34)

  1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
  2. Shane Victorino, RF
  3. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
  4. Jonny Gomes, LF
  5. Mike Napoli, DH
  6. Daniel Nava, 1B
  7. Ryan Lavarnway, C
  8. Jose Iglesias, SS
  9. Brandon Snyder, 3B

Starting Pitcher -- Ryan Dempster

Toronto Blue Jays (40-40)

  1. Jose Reyes, SS
  2. Jose Bautista, RF
  3. Edwin Encarnacion, DH
  4. Adam Lind, 1B
  5. Rajai Davis, LF
  6. Colby Rasmus, CF
  7. J.P. Arencibia, C
  8. Maicer Izturis, 3B
  9. Munenori Kawasaki, 2B

Starting Pitcher -- Mark Buehrle

In a word: yikes.

This, I suppose, is what you get when you go all-out to hit the southpaw. Which maybe isn't the worst idea given how much trouble Buehrle seems to be having with right-handed hitters so far this year. He'll get a steady diet of them today, with Jacoby Ellsbury representing the sole left-handed bat in the order. With the likes of Brandon Snyder and Jonny Gomes in the lineup, the Sox certainly are taking a hit in terms of pure player quality. But with Stephen Drew injured and, David Ortiz missing (likely with a scheduled day off), concessions must be made.

Even with that ugliest of lineups, though, this game hardly seems out of reach. Buehrle has given up plenty of runs this year, and Ryan Dempster has been ridiculously reliable over the last month. If the matchup isn't lopsided, it certainly seems to favor the Red Sox. The gambit John Farrell is taking with the lineup just needs to pay off, at least in part.

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