Red Sox vs. Mariners lineups: Andrew Benintendi waits for tomorrow

Andrew Benintendi's debut will wait one more day as Bryce Brentz starts in left field behind David Price.

Having Benintendi out of the lineup on the day he flies in and first joins the 25-man roster is not the worst thing in the world. He'll be in there tomorrow, and at the end of his career, one day's difference isn't going to mean much.

That being said, man, if Farrell is serious about this whole platoon thing, he probably shouldn't be. Yeah, Brentz is a righty and Benintendi a lefty, but one of these guys is also the team's future in left field, and the other is not. Brentz' numbers against southpaws between the majors and the minors are fine this year, but Benintendi's have been exceptional--even better than what he's managed against right-handed pitching--in both Salem and Portland.

If Benintendi isn't ready to compete in the majors, than he's not ready to compete. But if he is, there's every reason to believe that holds true against lefties as well as righties, and if that's the case, then all this platoon situation does is keep his glove out of the field and his development against same-handed pitching lagging behind. Not exactly a desirable outcome.

First pitch for this last pre-Benintendi starting lineup is at 10:10 p.m. ET with broadcasts on NESN, WEEI, and the MLB Network.