Red Sox vs Yankees lineup: Dustin Pedroia returns
The Boston Red Sox host the New York Yankees as Dustin Pedroia returns from a knee and ankle injury.
The Red Sox cornerstone second baseman returns to the lineup six days after getting spiked by Orioles third baseman Manny Machado in Baltimore. After receiving an MRI on Monday, it was revealed that he had swelling and inflammation in his left knee, that same one that required surgery over the offseason. The incident caused a stir in the series that culminated in a wild pitch directed towards Machado’s head in Sunday’s series finale and a four-game suspension of Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes for delivering said pitch. Pedroia will be playing second and assuming his usual leadoff spot tonight.
Red Sox lineup: Starting Pitcher – LHP Chris Sale (1-1, 0.91 ERA)
- Dustin Pedroia, 2B
- Andrew Benintendi, LF
- Mookie Betts, RF
- Hanley Ramirez, DH
- Mitch Moreland, 1B
- Xander Bogaerts, SS
- Jackie Bradley Jr., CF
- Sandy Leon, C
- Marco Hernandez, 3B
Red Sox manager John Farrell insinuated that Pedroia would have played during Tuesday’s series opener with the Yankees, had the game not been postponed due to rain. He was then held out of last night’s lineup, to supposedly avoid playing on a wet infield surface. Pedroia had later revealed that he still felt soreness in his knee.
To make space, Josh Rutledge is headed back to the bench and Marco Hernandez is taking his spot at third. Rutledge went 0-for-4 in last night’s game, his first of the year since starting the season on the disabled list.
Chris Sale will look to maintain his career dominance over the Yankees and put the club back in the win column after a 3-1 loss last night. He’s 4-1 in 10 career games (7 starts) with a 1.17 ERA, the lowest of any pitcher with a minimum of 50 innings pitched, against the Bronx Bombers. The Yankees will counter with their own ace, Masahiro Tanaka who is 2-1 with a 6.00 ERA in four starts this season.
The Red Sox have also claimed infielder/outfielder Chase D’Arnaud off waivers from the Braves. With injuries to starting third baseman Pablo Sandoval and super-utility Brock Holt, their infield depth has been severely depleted.
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Pedroia will look to provide the necessary spark to ignite the Red Sox offense that has averaged just 2.6 runs per game over their last five. The club enters play with an 11-9 record, three games back of first in the American League East.