The struggling Pedroia, caught in a 6-for-50 slide, took a seat Thursday afternoon in a game that began hours after he finished an 0-for-6 effort in the marathon loss to the Angels. The All-Star second baseman's average is down to .241 and he has an uncharacteristic 24 strikeouts in 30 games.
Adrian Gonzalez is back in the three-slot a day after hitting cleanup. He leads the Red Sox in hits, doubles and RBIs. Gonzalez is 0-for-3 in limited action against Twins starter Scott Baker.
Boston might do some damage against Baker near the bottom of the order. David Ortiz, J.D. Drew and Carl Crawford, the No. 5, 6 and 8 hitters in the lineup, are a combined 12-for-29 (.414) with two home runs and four doubles off the righty.
Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia is 0-for-5 with four strikeouts against Baker.
With Tim Wakefield making his second start of the year, here is the full lineup.
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
Dustin Pedroia, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Kevin Youkilis, 3B
David Ortiz, DH
J.D. Drew, RF
Jed Lowrie, SS
Carl Crawford, LF
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
Here's how the Twins will start:
Denard Span, CF
Trevor Plouffe, SS
Justin Morneau, 1B
Jason Kubel, DH
Michael Cuddyer, RF
Danny Valencia, 3B
Ben Revere, LF
Drew Butera, C
Alexi Casilla, 2B
