Red Sox vs. Angels lineups: Shane Victorino sits against Joe Blanton

One day after making his return to the Red Sox, Shane Victorino will get the day off as the Red Sox go for the series win against Joe Blanton and the Angels.

Boston Red Sox (38-25)

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

Los Angeles Angels (27-35)

1. Mike Trout, CF
2. Josh Hamilton, RF
3. Albert Pujols, DH
4. Mark Trumbo, 1B
5. Howie Kendrick, 2B
6. Alberto Callaspo, 3B
7. Erick Aybar, SS
8. Chris Iannetta, C
9. J.B. Shuck, LF

Starting Pitcher -- Joe Blanton

For anyone worried that perhaps Victorino's absence is somehow related to the small injury scare from early in last night's game, this seems to be a standard day off coming the day after his return from the disabled list. And really, the Red Sox won't miss him too much. Not because Victorino has been bad, exactly, but because Mike Carp has been so remarkably productive, whether or not that production is based in part on a high BABIP.

It's been touch-and-go for a while for Boston's starter today, Ryan Dempster, but the last two games have brought encouraging signs that he might be finding his way back into form. The same is true of Los Angeles starter Joe Blanton...sort of. Looking at his ERA of 5.59, you'd expect Blanton to be an easy win. Not so. Only twice has he allowed more than four runs in a game. While four runs in six innings is not good, it does keep the Angels in games, and that's been something he has done almost every time. What he hasn't done is specifically won them any--he has yet to hold any team to under two earned runs.

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