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Red Sox vs. Blue Jays: Daniel Nava starts at first

Napoli strikes out a million times, plays everyday. Hits a big ninth-inning homer, sits. Now John Farrell is just messing with him.

By Ben Buchanan
Ed Zurga

What does Mike Napoli have to do for John Farrell to take him out of the starting lineup, even if just for a day? Hit a two-run, game-tying homer in the ninth, I guess. And with the Red Sox facing a lefty in Mark Buehrle, too. Huh...

Yeah, someone's going to have to explain that one to me.

Boston Red Sox (72-50)

  1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
  2. Shane Victorino, RF
  3. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
  4. David Ortiz, DH
  5. Jonny Gomes, LF
  6. Stephen Drew, SS
  7. Ryan Lavarnway, C
  8. Daniel Nava, 1B
  9. Will Middlebrooks, 3B

Starting Pitcher -- Jake Peavy

Toronto Blue Jays (55-65)

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

Starting Pitcher -- Mark Buehrle

Jake Peavy's second start with the Red Sox did not go terribly well. The Royals missed nothing, roughing him up for six runs in five innings, but hey, that's kind of what they were doing to the Red Sox that series. Hopefully all that's needed for Peavy to get back on track is a change of venue, opponent, and generally, date.

It's tough to say what the Red Sox should expect to see from Buehrle tonight. He's flashed dominant a few times of late, going sixteen scoreless innings against the Astros and Athletics. Even a seven-inning performance with three earned against the Rays is a very positive sign for him against tougher competition.

But on other occasions he's been the same disappointment that has lost the Jays a fair few games so far this season. Eight runs in six against the Orioles, and five runs in six more frames against the Angels certainly mar an otherwise impressive run of pitching.

So which Buehrle do the Red Sox see tonight? The dreadful one that surrendered three homers to the Orioles, or the man who went the distance against--well, admittedly, against Houston.

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