Red Sox vs. Rockies: David Ortiz starts at first

David Ortiz will take the field Tuesday night as the Red Sox try to stay ahead of the Oakland Athletics in the race for the American League's best record.

Boston Red Sox (95-62)

1. Shane Victorino, RF
2. Daniel Nava, LF
3. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
4. David Ortiz, 1B
5. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
6. Stephen Drew, SS
7. Will Middlebrooks, 3B
8. Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
9. John Lackey, P

Colorado Rockies (71-86)

1. Charlie Blackmon, CF
2. DJ LeMahieu, 2B
3. Troy Tulowitzki, SS
4. Michael Cuddyer, RF
5. Todd Helton, 1B
6. Nolan Arenado, 3B
7. Corey Dickerson, LF
8. Jordan Pacheco, C
9. Tyler Chatwood, P

So the division is all wrapped up, but the Athletics are certainly not going quietly into that good night when it comes to the last race left to the Red Sox. Back just one game, they're primed to snipe home field advantage and a chance to face a depleted wild card team with the slightest Red Sox slip-up.

So it is that the Red Sox need to field David Ortiz at first and have Shane Victorino leading off. It's a fairly full lineup--as full as one can be with the designated hitter staying home in the American League--which should hopefully serve them well against the young ground ball specialist Tyler Chatwood. With John Lackey actually having received some runs in recent starts, there will hopefully be no voodoo preventing them from getting the job done.

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