Red Sox vs. Athletics lineups: No Yoan Moncada yet

Yoan Moncada is in Oakland, but out of the starting lineup Friday night (and I do mean night) as the Red Sox start a three-game set against the Athletics.

You may remember this approach from the Benintendi call-up, with the Sox leaving both young top prospects out of the lineup on the day they first join the team. What's not entirely clear yet is just how closely Moncada will follow Benintendi's path into the starting lineup. It certainly seems likely he'll get the platoon treatment given that there are questions about how far along his bat is from the right side of the plate.

but from there? Benintendi only needed to beat Bryce Brentz to get his full-time starting role. Moncada needs to not only beat Aaron Hill (who, if he's struggled mightily with the Sox, is still a proven major league hitter, particularly against LHP), but also Travis Shaw even to get at bats against righties. Shaw has fallen off in a big way, but taken as a whole his performance against righties has still been above league average. That's no easy thing to manage for a 21-year-old top prospect taking his first hacks in the majors, no matter how well-regarded he might be.

So for now Moncada will sit, and the Red Sox will hope to continue their success against the Athletics with David Price on the mound. First pitch is at 10:05 pm. ET with broadcasts on NESN and WEEI.