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Marco Hernandez is in the lineup for Dustin Pedroia Monday night as the Red Sox try to turn a series win into a larger winning streak.
The White Sox have fallen awfully far from the days where they were considered a tough opponent earlier in the year, which should serve to put Boston's water-treading stretch in some perspective. When some teams go bad, they go really bad. Thus far, the Red Sox have gone, at worst, mediocre.
But they're hoping they're done with this stretch of mediocrity. They took the series against the Mariners, and now have their most consistent pitcher on the mound to get them off to a good start against the White Sox. Sure, after that they have Buchholz v. Sale and Rodriguez v. Quintana, but...
Well, let's just not think of that.
As for Pedroia's absence, it seems to just be a night off, and nothing to worry about.
First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. ET with broadcasts on NESN, WEEI, and the MLB Network.