Projo Sox Blog

By Joe McDonald
Journal Sports Writer

ST. PETERSBURG _ The Red Sox will be without veteran third baseman Mike Lowell for the ALCS due to a hip injury. Even though the Rays respect the type of person and player he is, they don't seem too disappointed Boston will be without him.

"They're going to miss their third baseman," said Rays manager Joe Maddon. "I have so much respect for him. Just the way he plays, he's so under control. I always talk about guys who are caught in the moment and he exemplifies that and they are going to miss him.

"But," added Maddon, "it always seems when you loss somebody like that, whoever takes their place really [picks] up that guy. You have to be careful of those guys, because they're usually the ones who jump up and bit you."

In Lowell's absence, Kevin Youkilis will shift to third base and Mark Kotsay will play first.

Rays Game One starter James Shields agrees the Red Sox will miss Lowell's presence in the lineup, but the right-hander also knows the Red Sox are deep enough to make up for the loss.

"It doesn't matter," said Shields. "They've got guys on the bench who can get the job done. It does hurt them a little bit because Lowell is one of their big guys. Like us, we've had guys get hurt all season long, and our bench has done a great job of playing well."

 Tags  Joe Maddon Mike Lowell Rays Red Sox

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