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Red Sox Lineup: Mookie Betts, Xander Bogaerts return from one-game absences

By Sean Penney

BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 19: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox (L) celebrates with Xander Bogaerts #2 after hitting a two RBI home run in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 19, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - SEPTEMBER 19: Mookie Betts #50 of the Boston Red Sox (L) celebrates with Xander Bogaerts #2 after hitting a two RBI home run in the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 19, 2016 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts will return to the lineup for the Boston Red Sox as they finish their series against the Seattle Mariners.

The Boston Red Sox lineup will be back at full strength for Sunday afternoon’s series finale against the Seattle Mariners.

Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts will both return after sitting out Saturday’s loss. Betts was feeling under the weather while Bogaerts is dealing with a sprained finger. They’ve been cleared for action and will reclaim their spots in right field and shortstop.

Having their two stars back in the lineup will be a welcome sign. Boston struggled without them last night, scoring a mere two runs on six hits. That’s a far cry from the slug-fest the previous night when Betts and Bogaerts were in the lineup. The Red Sox opened the series with a 14-10 victory over Seattle on Friday.

Now they will aim for a series win with Chris Sale on the mound. Boston has struggled to put runs on the board for their ace, who is 1-3 in his last four starts. The Red Sox lead the majors in runs scored yet provide only 4.13 runs of support for Sale. That’s by far the lowest among any of the team’s qualified starters.

The challenge to give their ace the support he deserves would have been far steeper with a depleted lineup. The return of Betts and Bogaerts tips the scale back in Boston’s favor.

Here’s the lineup for this afternoon.

Mookie Betts, RF
Andrew Benintendi, LF
J.D. Martinez, DH
Mitch Moreland, 1B
Xander Bogaerts, SS
Eduardo Nunez, 2B
Rafael Devers, 3B
Sandy Leon, C
Jackie Bradley Jr., CF.

The Red Sox called up infielder Tzu-Wei Lin yesterday. He filled in at shortstop for Bogaerts, going 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts. He also committed a costly error that allowed a run to score. Lin will start Sunday’s game on the bench and he could be sent back to Pawtucket soon.

Next: Framework for a Xander Bogaerts extension

The Red Sox enter the day tied for the major league lead with 51 wins. However, they have three more losses than then New York Yankees and trail by a game in the division standings. Boston couldn’t afford to be without Betts or Bogaerts for an extended period so it’s good to see they each made a quick comeback for their ailments.

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