John McDonald gets his first start of the 2008 season at shortstop this afternoon against the Boston Red Sox as the Jays look for a sweep against the defending World Series champions.
And Shannon Stewart will get the start in left field despite the fact that a tough right-hander in Josh Beckett is starting for the Sox.
Normally in those circumstances the Jays would start Matt Stairs, a left-handed hitter.
Stairs has been bothered by a sore left hip this season and Toronto manager John Gibbons said that he just wanted to give the veteran a bit of a breather. Stairs' hip, Gibbons insisted, is fine.
The lineups:
Red Sox
1.[amp]nbsp;Dustin Pedroia, 2B
2.[amp]nbsp;Kevin Youkilis, 1B
3.[amp]nbsp;David Ortiz, DH
4.[amp]nbsp;Manny Ramirez, LF
5.[amp]nbsp;Mike Lowell, 3B
6.[amp]nbsp;J.D. Drew, RF
7.[amp]nbsp;Jason Varitek, C
8.[amp]nbsp;Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
9.[amp]nbsp;Julio Lugo, SS
Pitcher: Josh Beckett
Blue Jays
1.[amp]nbsp;Shannon Stewart, LF
2.[amp]nbsp;Aaron Hill, 2B
3.[amp]nbsp;Alex Rios, RF
4.[amp]nbsp;Vernon Wells, CF
5.[amp]nbsp;Frank Thomas, DH
6.[amp]nbsp;Lyle Overbay, 1B
7.[amp]nbsp;Marco Scutaro, 3B
8.[amp]nbsp;Rod Barajas, C
9.[amp]nbsp;John McDonald, SS
Pitcher: Roy Halladay
