Pre-game Notes on Easter Sunday
—I wonder if Tito thinks it is as funny as I do that Nick Punto will be batting in the leadoff this afternoon in Detroit. Disclaimer: I have no issue with Bobby Valentine playing with the lineup. None whatsoever. But I’m not on board with Punto swinging from the one-hole.
—Josh Beckett is not hurt. He just pitched bad. At least that is what is being reported.
—He’s not in the lineup today, but Kevin Youkilis has looked hideous at the plate in the season’s first two games.
—Clay Buchholz will take the mound today for the first time in a regular season game since suffering a back injury that sidelined him for the vast majority of 2011. He will have his hands full as he takes on the white hot middle of the Tigers’ order.
Anyways, here are today’s lineups, courtesy of the Globe’s Peter Abraham:
RED SOX (0-2)
Punto 3B
Ellsbury CF
Pedroia 2B
Gonzalez 1B
Ortiz DH
McDonald LF
Sweeney RF
Aviles SS
Shoppach C
Pitching: RHP Clay Buchholz (6-3, 3.48 in 2011)
TIGERS (2-0)
Jackson CF
Boesch RF
Cabrera 3B
Fielder 1B
Young DH
Avila C
Peralta SS
Dirks LF
Raburn 2B
Pitching: RHP Max Scherzer (15-9, 4.43 in 2011)
