Red Sox at Brewers lineup: Will Milwaukee’s second-best ice Boston?

The Red Sox (17-16) try to salvage a win in the final game of a three-game series this afternoon in Milwaukee versus the thumping Brewers (18-16) at Miller Park (1:10 p.m., NESN).

Milwaukee’s best beat up on Boston for the second day in a row Wednesday, and in so doing knocking out the latest candidate for the Red Sox’s fifth rotation spot, the flailing and demoted Kyle Kendrick. This is a slow-moving crisis that has finally arrived, and one would think a trade could be in the offing. Pray that the four remaining starters stay healthy.

Eduardo Rodriguez (3.07 ERA), one of those four, takes the hill for the Sad Sox, with Jimmy Nelson (4.83 ERA) making the start for Milwaukee. Hanley Ramirez gets a breather after playing his first game in the field, replaced by regular first baseman Mitch Moreland. On the Brewers side, international superstar Eric Thames and former MVP Ryan Braun also ride the pine for this afternoon affair, thank heavens. Here are the full lineups: