October 26, 2007
Ortiz at First
Terry Francona decided to go with David Ortiz at first base in game 3, with Kevin Youkilis moving to the bench.
Francona also said his plan is to move Dustin Pedroia into Youkilis' No. 2 spot in the batting order and switch center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury from ninth to Pedroia's slot leading off.
Another option had been to sit Mike Lowell and move Youkilis to third base. Francona indicated in Boston that he could envision playing Ortiz in all three potential games in Denver, but he said Friday he hasn't ruled out a different configuration for Game 4, or 5 if necessary.
"I think David is a really good hitter, and I think Mike Lowell is a really good hitter, and I actually think Youk is a really good hitter," Francona said. "But they won't let us play all three of them. So we'll go with this."
If there was a left-handed pitcher on the mound, I might want to start Youkilis. Ortiz is a perfectly adequate first baseman, so I wouldn't too much about his defense at first. He should be able to make up for any mistakes with his bat.
Well, just for the record, *my* pet theory was that they should start Ortiz at first (and sit Youkilis), get Ortiz his first two at-bats, then replace him with Youkilis in the bottom of the inning in which Ortiz has his second at-bat. Worst-case scenario, Ortiz plays three innings at first (bats in the first, doesn't bat again until the fourth), bats twice, then gives way to Youkilis in the bottom of, at the latest, the fourth. That way, you get two Ortiz at-bats, you get 5/6/more innings of Youkilis defense at first (and at-bats), and you have no more than three innings of Ortiz in the field.
Though that probably screws with the batting order more, and means you can't do a double-switch that's quite as advantageous, since the odds are you don't want to swap out a pitcher in the fourth...
Why not move Yuke to right, Drew to center, and sit myers?
Why not move Yuke to right, Drew to center, and sit ellsberry
Why not put Francona in center, Yaz in left, and Johnny Pesky in right?
I would probably give Papi the extra day off for his knee, and have HIM come in as a PH, since I think he would do better hitting off the bench than either Youk or Lowell (it's how he usually hits...)
Honestly Youkilis is the hottest of the three right now, and that gives you the defense.
Drew needs to be in the outfield, he is a very good defensive outfielder, and whoever is in CF is going to have to cheat Manny's way. Youk's got no business in the OF in Denver.
