Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg come to town as part of a three-game set between the Sox and Nationals. It marks the first time that the two will invade Fenway in interleague play.
Harper carries a .276 average, five home runs and 14 RBIs into Friday's tilt, while Strasburg has been one of the game's best pitchers so far this season. Strasburg is 6-1 with a 2.35 ERA.
In his Fenway debut, Strasburg will go up against a talented lefty in Felix Doubront, who has been Boston's best starter so far this season. Doubront enters Friday's start with a 6-2 record and a 3.75 ERA.
Daniel Nava will once again hit atop the Boston order. Will Middlebrooks, meanwhile, will be out of the lineup while Adrian Gonzalez goes back to his customary position at first base. Scott Podsednik joins Nava and Ryan Sweeney as the team's outfielders.
The rest of Friday's lineups are below.
Red Sox
Daniel Nava LF
Dustin Pedroia 2B
Adrian Gonzalez 1B
David Ortiz DH
Jarrod Saltalamacchia C
Kevin Youkilis 3B
Ryan Sweeney RF
Mike Aviles SS
Scott Podsednik CF
Felix Doubront P
Nationals
Danny Espinosa 2B
Bryce Harper CF
Ryan Zimmerman 3B
Michael Morse DH
Adam LaRoche 1B
Ian Desmond SS
Xavier Nady RF
Tyler Moore LF
Jesus Flores C
Stephen Strasburg P
