Shortstop Xander Bogaerts will hit in the No. 3 position in the starting lineup for the first time this season Friday as the Red Sox try to get back on track against the Blue Jays.
Along with the injury to Hanley Ramirez, a big reason why Bogaerts was slotted in the third hole has been a history of success against Toronto starter Drew Hutchison. Bogaerts is hitting .500 (6-for-12) against Hutchison, one of several Red Sox players with gaudy numbers against the Jays hurler.
For the season, Bogaerts is hitting a respectable .295, and he is even better at Fenway, hitting .333 in his home park.