Rays at Red Sox
The Red Sox began life without All-Star Jacoby Ellsbury on a positive note, and the best part was his replacements played big roles. Boston will try to make it three straight over Tampa Bay when they host the Rays on Sunday. Ellsbury, who finished second in American League MVP voting in 2011, was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday and is expected to miss at least six weeks with a partially dislocated right shoulder. Mike Aviles took Ellsbury’s leadoff spot in the order and went 3-for-5 including the go-ahead homer, and Cody Ross, who assumed Ellsbury’s position in center field, had four RBIs in Boston's 13-5 victory Saturday.
A pair of young left-handers square off in the third of a four-game series. Matt Moore, 22, who burst onto the scene late last season, will start for Tampa Bay in his seventh major league game. He will oppose Felix Doubront, 24. The Red Sox received more bad news when left fielder Carl Crawford experienced pain in his elbow while throwing. Crawford is still recovering from off-season wrist surgery and the Red Sox said they don’t believe the injuries are related.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, TBS, SunSports (Tampa Bay), NESN (Boston)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rays LH Matt Moore (0-0, 2.70 ERA) vs. Red Sox LH Felix Doubront (0-0, 3.60 ERA)
Moore allowed two runs, four hits and walked five in 6 2/3 innings and got a no-decision in Tuesday’s 5-2 loss at Detroit. Moore, who was an eighth-round draft pick by the Rays in 2007, was credited for a hold in his only appearance against Boston in 2011. Moore allowed two hits and struck out six in seven scoreless innings in the Rays’ 9-0 victory over the Texas Rangers in Game 1 of their AL Division Series.
Doubront, an undrafted Venezuelan, got a no-decision after allowing two runs and four hits in five innings in Boston’s 4-2 victory at Toronto on Monday. Doubront has started only four of his 24 games, but beat out the likes of Alfredo Aceves, Aaron Cook and Vincente Padilla for a spot in the rotation after registering a 2.70 ERA in 16 2/3 innings in spring training.
WALK-OFFS
1. Sunday marks the 65-year anniversary of Jackie Robinson becoming the first black to play in the major leagues. Every player will wear Robinson’s No. 42.
2. Boston’s David Ortiz went 4-for-5 with five RBIs on Saturday and is hitting .406. He is a .259 career hitter in April.
3. Monday’s series finale – on Patriots’ Day and Boston Marathon day in Massachusetts – will begin at 11:05 a.m. ET.