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Red Sox vs. Rays lineups: No Hanley, Allen Craig starts in left

Hanley Ramirez is night the day off Thursday as the Sox go for another series win against Jake Odorizzi and the Tampa Bay Rays.

By Ben Buchanan
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

The Red Sox will be without Hanley Ramirez as they try to extend their unbeaten streak to five series to start the 2015 season.

Boston Red Sox (9-6)

  1. Mookie Betts, CF
  2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
  3. David Oritz, DH
  4. Pablo Sandoval, 3B
  5. Mike Napoli, 1B
  6. Daniel Nava, RF
  7. Allen Craig, LF
  8. Xander Bogaerts, SS
  9. Sandy Leon, C

Starting Pitcher -- Clay Buchholz

Tampa Bay Rays (7-7)

  1. David DeJesus, DH
  2. Steven Souza Jr., RF
  3. Asdrubal Cabrera, SS
  4. Evan Longoria, 3B
  5. Desmond Jennings, LF
  6. Allan Dykstra, 1B
  7. Logan Forsythe, 2B
  8. Kevin Kiermaier, CF
  9. Rene Rivera, C

Starting Pitcher -- Jake Odorizzi

While Pablo Sandoval and Mike Napoli have been switched around a couple times in the lineup, the intent has been to keep opposing teams from bringing in lefty relievers to neutralize the pair as much as possible, even when split up by the relatively split-neutral Hanley Ramirez. But with Daniel Nava even more vulnerable to left-handed pitching, the Sox will put Sandoval first as he was to start the season.

Also missing is Shane Victorino. Not a surprise given that he left Wednesday night's game with a hamstring injury. It's apparently not terribly significant, but with Victorino having played a fair amount and done so on the Tampa Bay turf, he was likely going to be out anyways, giving Allen Craig and Daniel Nava alike a chance to play.

First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. ET with broadcasts on NESN and WEEI.

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