Francona: Ortiz in, Lowell out tonight
Red Sox manager Terry Francona said this afternoon that David Ortiz will be in the lineup tonight against the Nationals, while Mike Lowell will rest for the third time in four games. Ortiz will play first base since there is no designated hitter in National League parks, while Kevin Youkilis will slide over to third base.
During his weekly conversation with the hosts of WEEI’s “The Dale and Holley Show,” Francona also discussed a number of other topics regarding the Sox, who have a five-game lead in the American League East.
Here are a couple of his more noteworthy comments:
On Dustin Pedroia’s struggles in the leadoff spot (he’s batting .205 with a .556 OPS in 19 games at the top of the order):
Francona: “I actually asked him about that the other day, because I saw the numbers. If it was a case where it bothered him, I wouldn’t put him there, just because it wouldn’t make sense. And he has absolutely no idea, no reason, he doesn’t care where he hits. I don’t think he wants to hit eighth or ninth. I think it’s just a coincidence [that he’s struggling there].”
On whether Jacoby Ellsbury, who has been sizzling in the No. 7 spot in the lineup, will return to the leadoff spot anytime soon:
Francona:“At some point, in his career, that’s our best lineup. There’s no getting around that. For right now — Pedey’s going to get hot here, you can see it coming, and J.D.’s been getting on base like crazy — I think it plays more to the strengths of our lineup [to hit him seventh]. Jacoby’s swinging the bat so well . . . I like the way it’s working right now.”
On a report that Daisuke Matsuzaka isn’t on the Red Sox’ shoulder program for their pitchers:
Francona: “That’s actually not true. I don’t know where you saw that. . . . All our pitchers are on the shoulder program. That’s the one thing that’s not negotiable for any pitcher. They have to test out shoulder-wise, strength-wise, or we get concerned. And again, you have to remember now, when we explain something to [Brad] Penny, it’s in English. Even though I don’t know if he understands my Western Pennsylvania English, I don’t always understand his . . . but Daisuke, you have to explain it to him, and again, it was a guy who was raised in a different culture, so giving a guy an explanation isn’t bad, it isn’t wrong, he deserves that. But we’ve had to explain it because it’s different from what he’s used to. But to say he hasn’t done the shoulder program I don’t think is correct.”
On whether Matsuzaka has been a disappointment during his two-plus seasons with the Sox given the hype that accompanied his arrival:
Francona: “You know, this guy, for whatever has happened, he has managed to win 33 regular-season games and three postseason games, which is a lot. Now this year has been a battle, from the start until now. I think the WBC has a lot to do with . . . he ramped up too quick. In any town as a fan, especially in Boston, when a guy struggles, they want to get rid of him. That to me doesn’t make a lot of sense. We have a huge investment in this guy, he’s already shown that he can be a top-flight pitcher. We’ve got to get him back there. That’s our goal.”
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