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Red Sox vs. Phillies lineup: Red Sox return to Opening Day starters with series on the line

David Ortiz and Shane Victorino are back in the lineup Thursday, but the weather that could prove the biggest difference for the offense.

By Ben Buchanan
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

The Red Sox have their Opening Day position players back in action Thursday night as they go for a series win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Boston Red Sox (1-1)

  1. Mookie Betts, CF
  2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
  3. David Ortiz, 1B
  4. Hanley Ramirez, LF
  5. Pablo Sandoval, 3B
  6. Shane Victorino, RF
  7. Ryan Hanigan, C
  8. Xander Bogaerts, SS
  9. Justin Masterson, P

Philadelphia Phillies (1-1)

  1. Ben Revere, CF
  2. Carlos Ruiz, C
  3. Chase Utley, 2B
  4. Ryan Howard, 1B
  5. Darin Ruf, LF
  6. Cody Asche, 3B
  7. Jeff Francoeur, RF
  8. Freddy Galvis, SS
  9. David Buchanan, P

The switch back to Opening Day's lineup (save the Bogaerts - Hanigan swap and, obviously, Masterson for Buchholz) is likely not so much a reaction to last night's unfortunate performance. Even with a right-handed pitcher in David Buchanan on the mound, Victorino is likely John Farrell's go-to starter until his performances demand otherwise. If that happens, it'll likely just signal the arrival of Rusney Castillo anyways, leaving Nava a sub with slightly more regular at bats than most.

Really, if the Red Sox are hoping for anything, it's not that the Opening Day lineup will make the difference, but a slightly warmer night in Philly. It's not nice out by any means--game time temperature is in the mid-40s--but that's still an improvement over the awfulness that was Wednesday night. It'll probably be an unpleasant game, but maybe not quite so oppressive as the last.

First pitch is at 7:05 p.m. ET with broadcasts on NESN and WEEI.

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