Red Sox vs. Athletics lineups: Changes as the first half ends

The All-Star break is beginning early for a few Red Sox starters, barring any pinch-hitting opportunities.

Boston Red Sox (58-38)

1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Daniel Nava, RF
3. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
4. David Ortiz, DH
5. Jonny Gomes, LF
6. Mike Carp, 1B
7. Ryan Lavarnway, C
8. Brock Holt, 3B
9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Starting Pitcher -- Brandon Workman

Oakland Athletics (55-39)

1. Coco Crisp, CF
2. John Jaso, C
3. Josh Donaldson, 3B
4. Jed Lowrie, SS
5. Yoenis Cespedes, LF
6. Josh Reddick, RF
7. Brandon Moss, 1B
8. Seth Smith, DH
9. Eric Sogard, 2B

Starting Pitcher -- Bartolo Colon

It's an oddly right-handed order between Jonny Gomes and Ryan Lavarnway given the opposing starter in Bartolo Colon. And no, he doesn't have reverse splits. Add in the fact that nothing Red Sox related Bartolo Colon has ever touched has turned out well. Maybe today will be different. Maybe today will be the day where things don't work for Colon. But chances are we're in for a long afternoon against a pitcher who's having a much more productive year than anyone could have expected.

If that's the case, that leaves only Brandon Workman to keep the Red Sox in the game. But, if a poor major league debut is not much to go on (given that it came in an unfamiliar bullpen role), Workman is still a pitcher with very little experience above Double-A, and it's difficult to expect him to carry so much of the load by himself.

Read more Red Sox:

• What to expect from Red Sox prospect Brandon Workman
• It's time for change in the Red Sox rotation
• MLB Trade Deadline: How can the Red Sox fix their bullpen?
• Should the Red Sox sign Jarrod Saltalamacchia to an extension?
• The sustainable side of Jose Iglesias’ success at the plate