Red Sox vs. Braves lineups: David Ortiz, Sox return to American League action

David Ortiz is back in the lineup as the Red Sox return home to Fenway Park for the other half of their home-and-home series against the Braves.

Ortiz is a sight for sore eyes after two games away from the DH rule, even if the Sox managed to take both of them from the Braves (with Rick Porcello and David Price reaching base three times between them, no less). With that period weathered, the Sox actually have a chance to get into first place in the East tonight if they win and the Orioles lose. Baltimore has been dropping steadily since the Sox finally dealt them their first loss of the season.

And they'll have that opportunity with their ace on the mound! Alright, I kind of jest, particularly after David Price struck out 14 last night. But there's no denying that Steven Wright has been Boston's most consistently effective pitcher to date. Normally, having the hottest arm run into the coldest possible team would seem to give the Red Sox pretty great odds tonight, but it is worth mentioning that Wright is probably the guy who gains the least from facing a bad team. The knuckleball doesn't play by typical baseball rules, and while a typical pitcher can potentially fight through an off night against a bad team, when the knuckleball isn't working, it takes effort not to hit it.

Still, until that happens, Wright can still be considered the most reliable guy in Boston. And with Bud Norris being, well, Bud Norris, they might even be able to overcome a bad knuckleball day. Maybe.

But let's not count on it! Yeah, I know I've just done all the jinxing in the world! I'll get on the wood-knocking and salt-throwing and all that. Don't worry about it.

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