Red Sox vs. Giants lineups: Travis Shaw sits against Bumgarner

With a lefty on the mound, and Travis Shaw struggling, Josh Rutledge will make his way into the lineup as the Red Sox seek a short series sweep against an intimidating opponent in Madison Bumgarner and the Giants.

Bumgarner is certainly better against lefties than righties, but that just means he's very good against right-handed hitters, compared to completely and totally unhittable against lefties. So while the Sox have stacked their lineup with right-handed hitters excepting Jackie Bradley Jr. and the not-the-DH, that still doesn't leave them terribly likely to break the trend of "not scoring runs" set by all of Bumgarner's opponents except the Dodgers that one time.

If there's a pitcher the Sox should hope can match Bumgarner, it'd be Price. But while he's brought his ERA way down since "the fix" -- by nearly two full marks -- the last couple games haven't been hugely impressive, and he hasn't actually held any opponent scoreless thus far this season, which is what might be necessary tonight.

On the bright side, the Red Sox did take game one, so they've at least done as well as could be expected for this particular series. But the Sox and their fans may be in for a bit of a long one tonight. Or, rather, a short one that feels long. Which is really kind of preferable to just a long one given when this one starts.

First pitch is at 10:15 p.m. ET with broadcasts on NESN and WEEI.