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Red Sox vs. Cardinals: David Ortiz starts at first as Sox play NL ball

Come back soon, DH rule!

By Ben Buchanan
Ronald Martinez

It's National League time for the Red Sox, who head into Busch Stadium for the first time since last year's World Series to face the St. Louis Cardinals.

Today's Lineups

BOSTON RED SOX ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
Brock Holt - CF Matt Carpenter - 3B
Dustin Pedroia - 2B Kolten Wong - 2B
David Ortiz - 1B Matt Holliday - LF
Yoenis Cespedes - LF Matt Adams - 1B
Daniel Nava - RF Jhonny Peralta - SS
Xander Bogaerts - SS A.J. Pierzynski - C
Christian Vazquez - C Oscar Taveras - RF
Will Middlebrooks - 3B Jon Jay - CF
Rubby De La Rosa - RHP Lance Lynn - RHP

The Cespedes-in-left, Nava-in-right phenomenon continues unabated for no discernible reason. We heard last time that rain was what kept Cespedes and his arm out of right field in favor of Nava, but it's hard to imagine that's the case now. It is, again, not a terribly important point, but an odd choice from John Farrell all the same.

The more unusual positional situation, of course, is found in David Ortiz playing first. Welcome to the National League, Red Sox fans. Get ready for pitchers trying to bunt and...well, probably just taking a bunch of pitches since it's not worth risking health for a minimal chance to get on base in a lost season, and it's really not close.

First pitch is at 8:15 p.m. ET with broadcasts on NESN and WEEI.

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