Red Sox vs. Royals lineups: Mookie Betts leads off

It's been a while, but Mookie Betts is back in the leadoff spot Saturday night for the first time since May 22nd as the Red Sox look for their third straight win.

The last time Mookie Betts le off was May 22nd. He was hitting .232/.290/.387 at the time, so you could say he earned his way first to the second spot, and then all the way down to the bottom third of the lineup. Since that point, though, Betts has started to heat up in a big way. He's hitting .333/.375/.467 in the nearly 100 plate appearances he's had in the time since, leaving his season line at .267/.319/.415 after a 4-for-5 performance on Friday. Those still aren't exactly leadoff numbers, of course, but if Betts has turned the corner, it's probably where he belongs.

Still, it's a bit strange to have such a major lineup shakeup in the wake of a couple solid offensive performances. Dustin Pedroia is back, but batting third this time to make room for Brock Holt second. Alejandro De Aza continues to earn starts with his solid performances in a Red Sox uniform, replacing the ice-cold Rusney Castillo.

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