The Boston Red Sox are, once again, looking to avoid a sweep in the final game of a three-game series against the Houston Astros. And they will be facing a difficult task in doing so.
The Astros, winners of the first two games of the series by scores of 4-3, will march their ace, Justin Verlander, to the hill on Sunday. Verlander has an 8-1 record and a sparkling 2.24 ERA. He has allowed just one run or fewer in 8-of-11 starts this year, so it will be difficult for the Red Sox to find offensive success against him.
Against Verlander, the Red Sox are sitting a couple of their normal starters. Xander Bogaerts will sit for just the third time this season and Eduardo Nunez will take over for him at the shortstop position. Nunez will bat ninth.
Meanwhile, Mitch Moreland will sit in favor of Steve Pearce despite the righty/right matchup. Moreland also has a .313 average with six extra-base hits against Verlander, so the decision to sit him today is certainly a strange one. But perhaps he was just due for a day off after seeing action of 10 of the team's last 11 games.
Here's a look at the starting lineups for both squads. First pitch will be at 2:10 p.m. at Minute Maid Park.
BOSTON RED SOX (27-25)
Andrew Benintendi, LF
Mookie Betts, RF
Rafael Devers, 3B
J.D. Martinez, DH
Michael Chavis, 2B
Christian Vazquez, C
Steve Pearce, 1B
Jackie Bradley, CF
Eduardo Nunez, SS
Eduardo Rodriguez, LHP (4-3, 5.43 ERA)
HOUSTON ASTROS (35-18)
Aldemys Diaz, 2B
Alex Bregman, 3B
Michael Brantley, DH
Carlos Correa, SS
Yuli Gurriel, 1B
Josh Reddick, RF
Robinson Chirinos, C
Jake Marisnick, CF
Derek Fisher, LF
Boston Red Sox
Justin Verlander, RHP (8-1, 2.24 ERA)
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