Projo Sox Blog

BY KEVIN McNAMARA
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Terry Francona has played musical lineups all season and he's not about to stop in the playoffs.

For the third straight game in the American League Division Series, the Red Sox manager rolled out a lineup with both different personnel and in a different order. This strategy isn't anything new.

This season six different players, including Jacoby Ellsbury and Mark Kotsay, have hit leadoff for the Sox. Five have hit second, six out of the three hole. Seven, from David Ortiz to Mike Lowell, have hit cleanup.

Dustin Pedroia played in 157 games but hit first, second, third and fourth in the lineup. J.D. Drew has hit first, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh.

This shuffling is not unique to the Red Sox but is certainly a bit different for a World Championship team. Francona says that this team's versatility, and flexibility, is one of its strengths.

"I just think this is the way our team has been all year," he said. "I don't know that we've had nine guys play every (single) game and I don't know if that makes us the best team.''

In last night's Game Three, Francona chose to sit Game Two home run hero Drew and play Coco Crisp instead. In some markets, this would be hardball heresy. With the Red Sox, it's the accepted route to winning ball games.

"I know normally you get to this time of the year and you send eight or nine guys out there and just stay with it. I don't know that the way we're built right now that's the way that is the best way for us to do it," said Francona.

Drew is sitting for two reasons. First, Francona sees this as a chance to rest Drew's cranky back, although he admitted last night that he hasn't complained of any tightness at all. Also, Crisp can hit from the right side against Angels' lefty starter Joe Saunders, a pitcher Crisp has enjoyed some career success against.

"Coco's had some pretty good at-bats against this guy,'' said Francona, "and I just think sometimes we need to try to do what's right for the ballclub. It maybe is different than what we've done in the past. I think we have to recognize some of the things that have happened to our team physically and it's not something I think like with trepidation. I think Coco's going to do a good job.''

Francona stressed that he likes the idea of a power hitter like Drew ready to pinch hit at a moment's notice.

No matter what lineup the Red Sox have sent out this series they've hurt the Angels. While Francona hasn't changed his first four hitters (Ellsbury-Pedroia-Ortiz-Kevin Youkilis) in the series, the remainder of the lineup has featured several different looks. Drew and Jason Bay hit fifth and sixth in the order in the first two games and combined for eight hits, three home runs and three RBI. Last night, Bay hit fifth and Mike Lowell was sixth.

"They're a clutch team," said Mike Scioscia. "They've got a lot of guys that know what they're trying to do. You have to make good pitches. That's where they've made a bit of a difference."

 Tags  Coco Crisp J.D. Drew Terry Francona

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