Red Sox HR leader returns to the lineup for series opener vs. Cardinals

Mike Masala

Red Sox HR leader returns to the lineup for series opener vs. Cardinals image

The Boston Red Sox, after losing three out of four to the Tampa Bay Rays, have hit the road for a three-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals starting on Friday night at Busch Stadium.

Boston will send Brayan Bello to the mound for the contest, and St. Louis will counter with Kyle Gibson.

Here's a look at Alex Cora's lineup for the series opener:

  1. Jarren Duran CF
  2. Wilyer Abreu RF
  3. Connor Wong C
  4. Rafael Devers 3B
  5. Tyler O'Neill LF
  6. Dominic Smith 1B
  7. Garrett Cooper DH
  8. Vaughn Grissom
  9. David Hamilton

Here's the Cardinals lineup:

  1. Brendan Donovan LF
  2. Lars Nootbar RF
  3. Paul Goldschmidt 1B
  4. Nolan Arenado 3B
  5. Alec Burleson DH
  6. Ivan Herrera C
  7. Nolan Gorman 2B
  8. Masyn Winn SS
  9. Michael Siani CF

Bello has been solid to start the season for the Red Sox, posting a 3.13 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP in his six starts for the team. He also missed time due to back tightness. He's never faced a single member of the Cardinals lineup.

Gibson has been decent for St. Louis, posting a 3.67 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP in his eight starts this year. Four Red Sox have recorded hits off of him in his career - Cooper (2-for-10 with a home run, two RBIs and two walks), Devers (8-for-18 with two RBIs), McGuire (2-for-4) and Smith (2-for-9 with three RBIs).

A win for Boston would put them above .500 and could get them back into third place in the AL East.

Mike Masala

Mike Masala Photo

Mike Masala previously served as the Managing Editor of USA TODAY's Dolphins Wire as well as a contributing writer at Patriots Wire. A lifelong New England resident, he is the self-proclaimed captain and lone member of the Laurence Maroney Fan Club. Follow on Twitter/X: @Mike_Masala