Hmmmm... Terry Francona is a so-called "Player's Manager." Perhaps he's giving Pedro a chance to right a year-old wrong?

I can't understand this, either - Lowe has thrown 69 pitches. He has given up a hit. A HIT. In six innings. There have been few at-bats at which Yankee hitters looked good. He's going strong. I realize Francona has done an astonishing job of resuscitating the Red Sox' chances here, and they're up 7 with nine outs to go, but why would you take out an effective pitcher, and go to your bullpen, when you don't need to? Hell, why would you go to, as it looks based on Pedro's warm-ups, one of your two aces, who would otherwise START GAME ONE OF THE WORLD SERIES?

This makes no sense to me.

None. NONE.

Update: Pedro is in. I have no clue what Francona is doing.

Hmm, what could Francona do that'd be dumber, make Schilling finish tonight's game?

And now the Yankees get two doubles off Pedro. It's like he's starting with a pitch count of 90. Holy crap...

At least he gets Posada. But (1) pulling Lowe, (2) inserting Martinez to ruin his shot at Game 1, (3) taking the threat of Martinez away (it's worse for the Yankees if Lowe's blowing them away and Martinez is looming, than if Lowe is *gone* and Martinez is *mortal*), reviving the crowd, and (5) getting into the rest of the bullpen if Martinez doesn't finish the game... is excruciatingly, mind-numbingly, logic-defyingly STUPID.

Did someone threaten Francona's family if he won this game? That's the only rationale I can think of...