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Red Sox vs. Rays lineups: Ryan Lavarnway, Brandon Snyder start

The Red Sox will turn to their right-handed bats against Matt Moore and the red-hot Rays.

By Ben Buchanan
USA TODAY Sports

Don't call them the B-Team.

Brandon Snyder and Ryan Lavarnway are not the biggest names on the roster, but with a lefty on the mound in Matt Moore, the Red Sox are putting their best right-handed foot forward in hopes of giving Brandon Workman as much support as possible.

Boston Red Sox (60-40)

  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. Brandon Snyder, 3B
  9. Jose Iglesias, SS

Starting Pitcher -- Brandon Workman

Tampa Bay Rays (58-41)

  1. Desmond Jennings, CF
  2. Ben Zobrist, 2B
  3. Evan Longoria, 3B
  4. James Loney, 1B
  5. Luke Scott, DH
  6. Kelly Johnson, LF
  7. Matt Joyce, RF
  8. Jose Lobaton, C
  9. Yunel Escobar, SS

Starting Pitcher -- Matt Moore

Unfortunately, Snyder and Lavarnway could also mean some ugly defense for a rookie making just his second start in the majors. Snyder had a few good plays recently, but just isn't the guy you want on the left side of the infield, and as bad as Jarrod Saltalamacchia has been these last few days, Ryan Lavarnway could very well be a step down even from that.

Still, this game, as with just about every one this series, is tough to get a real lock on. Workman was quite impressive in his first outing, and if Matt Moore has been good this season, Boston's right-handed bats seem to finally be waking up. It's hard not to give the Rays the edge here given the matchup, but at home, with the Red Sox 9-3 against them this year, there's every possibility for things to go the other way.

At the very least this is not one of the ones the Red Sox have to win. But with the Rays riding all the momentum in the world, letting them get to within half a game is not how you want to start the series.

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