ALCS Game Five pregame notes: Ellsbury watching from the dugout -- again.
5:38 PM Thu, Oct 16, 2008 | Permalink
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BY JOE McDONALD BOSTON -- Once again Jacoby Ellsbury is not in the starting lineup. For the second consecutive game Red Sox manager Terry Francona has decided to replace Ellsbury with Coco Crisp, which is a complete reversal of the ALCS last October. Ellsbury added an explosive spark in Game Six and Seven against the Indians last year, and was a force both in the field and at the plate in the World Series against the Rockies. This October, however, he's been struggling. Overall he's 6-for-32 in the postseason, but is 0-for-14 in this series against the Rays. Because of his struggles, Francona removed him from the starting lineup in Game Four as J.D. Drew served as the leadoff hitter and went 0-for-5. Crisp, who hit in the No. 7 spot in the order, is leading off in Game Five. Francona admitted Thursday afternoon that third-base coach DeMarlo Hale spent a lot of time with Ellsbury during the offday workout. "They have a very solid relationship and there's a lot of trust from me and DeMarlo," said the manager. "There's a lot of trust from my standpoint in Jacoby, I just think the best way to go is to play Coco tonight. I don't he'll ever view it as we've lost confidence in him. We're trying to win a game, and he may end up playing in this game." 
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