Red Sox vs. Orioles lineup: Mike Carp starts in left field

Mike Carp will start in left field Saturday night, batting sixth as the Red Sox try to finally shake the Orioles after dropping six of eight games to them.

Boston Red Sox (61-43)

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

Starting Pitcher -- Scott Feldman

Boston got to the best part of their rotation with the division lead intact, but the offense went ahead and disappeared, and even if it hadn't, John Lackey couldn't come through with a good outing last night, leaving the Sox in second place for the first time in months.

Now, already on their back foot, the Sox have to turn the ball over to the less reliable part of the pitching staff, starting with Ryan Dempster, who has been particularly erratic of late. Even if the lineup does wake up, it's a tall task to ask them to make up for an outing like either of Dempster's last two.

The Sox need a turnaround game, but unfortunately right now they don't have a working part to lean on. If neither Dempster or the lineup have a statement performance, both are going to have to have a change of course, or this could be a long night.

Read more Red Sox:

• Why do we obsess over the trade deadline?
• Jacoby Ellsbury, the Red Sox, and an ever changing future
• Red Sox trade targets: Luke Hochevar
• Despite drop in velocity, Felix Doubront turning into top arm for Red Sox
• Dustin Pedroia's extension perfect for Red Sox and Pedroia