Red Sox at Rockies Lineups: Let’s turn the clocks back to 2007

The Red Sox are back in Colorado, which of course is the site of their championship victory 12 years ago. That is the most forgotten of Boston’s four World Series winners in this recent run of success, but we’re sure to get plenty of flashbacks to that team over the next couple of days. I, for one, am excited about that.

As for the matter at hand, the Red Sox are coming off a series win in San Diego and are looking for the same in Denver. That will require a sweep in this short two-game set, and they’ll have Rick Porcello on the mound to try and take the first one. This is going to be a test for the righty, who has looked better of late. For too much of this season, the righty has struggled in giving up hard contact and a whole lot of hits. That is a rough recipe at Coors field, which is a BABIP heaven for hitters. Of course, that is without even mentioning the talent at the top of this lineup in Charlie Blackmon, Trevor Story and Nolan Arenado. If Porcello’s command isn’t on point, he’ll have issues.

On the other side, the Red Sox were originally to go up against German Márquez, who is arguably (at least, I would argue) the best pitcher on this roster. He was placed on the IL on Monday, however, and Rico Garcia gets the start. The 25-year-old righty is making his major-league debut in this one. In the first half of this season he dominated Double-A to the tune of a 1.85 ERA an over 11 strikeouts per nine innings in 12 starts. Over 13 starts in Triple-A, however, his ERA shot up to 7.16. Keep in mind the PCL is an absurd hitter-friendly league, though. To go up against the rookie the Red Sox send out their typical vs. RHP lineup.

The full lineups are below: