Darnell McDonald Heating Up as Red Sox Look to Take Series With Marlins

Editor's note: The temperature gauge is a Bill James-created statistic that measures how hot or cold hitters are. We will spotlight Red Sox and opposing team temperatures on game days.

He may be squeezed out of a starting spot once Carl Crawford and Jacoby Ellsbury return from their respective injuries, but Darnell McDonald is making the most of the playing time he's being given at the moment.

Currently the hottest batter on the Red Sox, McDonald is hitting .286 since his return from the disabled list a week ago. Half of his hits have gone for extra bases, and he's scored three runs in that span.

Kelly Shoppach is also making his mark in the batter's box as of late. In his last four games, Shoppach has hit .333 with two RBIs and three runs — raising his season average from .270 to .280.

On the other side of the diamond, the Marlins' Justin Ruggiano has been scorching recently. The outfielder is hitting .500 in the last five games he's appeared in, collecting three RBIs to go along with a home run.

See the temperatures for the Red Sox and Marlins for July 13 below.