Carp expected to replace Napoli for Game 2

BOSTON -- After the Red Sox were held without a hit until the ninth inning of Saturday's 1-0 loss to the Tigers in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, Boston is shaking up the lineup.

Mike Carp said he was told he'd be in the starting lineup for Game 2 on Sunday night (8 ET on FOX) against right-hander Max Scherzer. The lefty-swinging Carp will likely play first base in place of the right-handed Mike Napoli.

Napoli was 0-for-3 with three strikeouts as the Red Sox struggled to generate offense in the ALCS opener.

"It's part of baseball," said Carp, who will be making his first career postseason start. "On any given day things can happen. Who's to say we're not going to score 20 [runs] off [the Tigers] tomorrow?"

Because Scherzer has been so tough on right-handed batters, holding them to a .165 average compared to a .222 average against left-handers, Carp may give the Red Sox a better chance at first base. He's 2-for-8 against Scherzer lifetime. Napoli is 1-for-13.

Napoli, who is 2-for-17 in the postseason, has been dealing with plantar fasciitis in his left foot.

"I feel good up there," he said. "I'm not searching or anything. Just going up there trying to do what I do. I'm still confident I'll go out tomorrow and get five hits. I don't know, you just got to keep going."