18 Mitch Moreland 1B

Moreland went 3-for-7 with a walk, a home run, two RBI and three runs scored in Friday's 13-6 extra-inning win over the Rays.

With Hanley Ramirez (biceps) injured again, Moreland should get ample at-bats as Boston's everyday first baseman. Particularly as the Red Sox battle it out in the AL East. The left-handed hitting Moreland has soldiered on through injuries of his own this season, reaching a career-high in plate appearances (529). Because the Red Sox are 27th in MLB with 153 home runs and have had difficulty scoring runs, Moreland's 19 homers and 71 RBI -- ranking third on the team in each category -- have been significant. He should continue to hit up in the order near the team's best hitters, generating more RBI opportunities over the final two weeks.

Moreland is not in the lineup Tuesday against the Athletics, Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald reports.

Moreland will get the day off as the Red Sox send out a righty-heavy lineup against left-hander Sean Manaea. In his place, Sam Travis will start at first base, batting fifth.

Moreland is not in the lineup for Monday's game against the Blue Jays, Jen McCaffrey of The Springfield Republican reports.

As per usual, Moreland will get the day off with the opposition sending out a southpaw starter (J.A. Happ). Sam Travis will start at first base in his stead.

Moreland is out of the lineup against the Yankees on Thursday, Tim Britton of the Providence Journal reports.

This marks the third straight game that Moreland will occupy a seat on the bench, although it shouldn't come as a shock with southpaw CC Sabathia set to deal for the Yankees. During Wednesday's contest, Moreland came in and went 2-for-2 with four RBI. With Hanley Ramirez manning first for the series finale, Moreland will likely be used as a bat off the bench once New York turns it over to the bullpen.

Moreland pinch hit for Chris Young in the seventh inning Wednesday and stayed in the game at DH, going 2-for-2 with a home run and four RBI.

The homer was his 18th of the year and fourth in his last eight games. Moreland's put together a tremendous August, hitting .347 (26-for-75) with five home runs and 18 RBI in 25 games, but Boston's crowded roster and his meager .662 OPS against lefties figures to keep him in a platoon role between first base and DH for the rest of the season.