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Friday's game is the 2014 home opener for the Red Sox, and since they won the World Series in 2013, it's also championship ring presentation day. Find a television, leave work, open up MLB.tv, do whatever you have to in order to watch along with the festivities, which begin one hour before the game, at 1 pm.
As for the game itself, John Farrell has constructed a fairly regular lineup to take on Brewers' starter Marco Estrada.
Boston Red Sox (2-1)
- Daniel Nava, RF
- Dustin Pedroia, 2B
- David Ortiz, DH
- Mike Napoli, 1B
- Mike Carp, LF
- Grady Sizemore, CF
- Xander Bogaerts, SS
- A.J. Pierzynski, C
- Will Middlebrooks, 3B
Starting pitching: Jake Peavy
Milwaukee Brewers (1-2)
- Carlos Gomez, CF
- Jean Segura, SS
- Ryan Braun, DH
- Aramis Ramirez, 3B
- Jonathan Lucroy, C
- Logan Schafer, RF
- Khris Davis, LF
- Scooter Gennett, 2B
- Lyle Overbay, 1B
Starting pitcher: Marco Estrada
It's not completely normal for Boston, but that's the case in every game that occurs while Shane Victorino is on the disabled list. Carp's defensive deficiencies should be hidden by the Monster in left, while Nava's will be exposed more in right field. The two will flank Grady Sizemore, who had Thursday off, likely to keep him and his knees from playing a night game right before a day game at this early juncture.
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The Brewers have taken this opportunity to put Braun in the designated hitter slot to get his glove out of the field. Getting Logan Schafer's bat in to the lineup likely does away with any positive from that, but Fenway's right field is expansive, so maybe not having Braun out there is worth it at any cost for Ron Roenicke. Old friend Lyle Overbay is batting ninth and at first base.
As for the players you might not recognize, Khris Davis isn't Chris Davis, but he does have plenty of his own power. Scooter Gennett has a great name, especially for a second baseman, but also had a solid 2013 debut playing in place of the perpetually injured/disappointing Rickie Weeks. Marco Estrada, today's opposing pitcher, has been very good whenever he's been on the mound the last couple of years: his low walk rates against Boston's vaunted patience are the game within the game for the day.
First pitch will be at 2:05 pm eastern, but remember to tune in an hour before then in order to watch the presentation of the rings as well as the rest of what the Sox have planned for their home opener.