Red Sox vs. Indians: Blake Swihart starts in left

Blake Swihart will get his first major league start in left field Friday night as the Red Sox try to match the success of their last homestand against the Indians.

We've gone over the Swihart thing so many times already--as recently as a few hours ago, in fact--so let's just...leave it. Let's leave it. Whether it's a good thing or not, Swihart is the best current option in left field, assuming he's not a complete defensive mess. We'll see. We'll see.

He'll return to, well, a terrifying matchup. Clay Buchholz' seat isn't quite so hot with Eduardo Rodriguez having suffered a setback. But it's certainly not because he's pitching any better. The positive is that Corey Kluber isn't exactly looking great either, but if you can honestly call the Red Sox favorites in any game featuring Buchholz against a currently winning team, I congratulate you on your eternally optimistic disposition.

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