Projo Sox Blog

BY KEVIN McNAMARA
Journal Sports Writer

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Throughout the long, often difficult road to the postseason, Terry Francona never could pencil in his dream lineup. Last night, he finally did.

Over the final 42 games of the regular season, Mike Lowell and J.D. Drew never once played in the same game. If Lowell wasn't nursing a strained oblique muscle, he was battling through a torn labrum in his hip. Drew strained his lower back on August 17 and has struggled with nagging pain ever since. The last time Francona could write both of their names into a starting lineup was August 12.

"It's been a long time. It's been a long road for these guys," Francona said.

Over the season's final six weeks, both veterans kept their eyes not on the American League East standings but on the playoffs. Getting on Francona's lineup card for last night's A.L. Division Series opener was the clear-cut goal and both succeeded, barely.

Lowell started at third base and hit seventh in the order last night as much as a career reward as anything. Francona said Lowell came through a test of his hip Tuesday in decent form but it was clear the Sox have their fingers crossed that he'll hold up. Lowell's issues will clearly come in the field where he has to stay low and field grounders while moving laterally. He's also susceptible to problems if he has to sprint on the basepaths.

"Now he's not going to be in the Olympics," Francona joked, "but he wasn't before and he's not now. I think we felt like that it was good enough for him to give it a pretty good effort."

The Red Sox always intended on carrying Lowell on their playoff roster, if only to use his bat off the bench in a pinch-hit role. He may revert to those responsibilities but the Sox feel last year's World Series MVP is strong enough not only to play last night but throughout this series.

"His makeup is so good that it's allowing him to probably be on the field where a lot of other people wouldn't be. I think that's pretty honest," Francona said. "I don't know how many people would be trying to play in this situation. He's not only trying but he'll probably be able to pull it off and help us win, which is the whole idea.''

Drew, who carried the Red Sox' attack back in June with 12 home runs, 27 RBI and a .337 batting average, seems to be further ahead physically than Lowell at this point. He enjoyed a strong batting practice both Tuesday and before Game One. That came as a bit of a surprise if only because the rightfielder had played just two full games (on Sept. 24 and 28) since mid-August.

"He says he feels pretty good physically and his presence in the lineup is significant," Francona said of Drew. ``With the days of in between games I think we're okay.''

The addition of Drew and Lowell in the lineup does wonders for the Red Sox. Dustin Pedroia is back in his normal (and dangerous) second spot. Kevin Youkilis is behind David Ortiz in the clean-up spot. Francona chose to slot Drew in the fifth spot, just ahead of Jason Bay.

The bottom third of the lineup could be much improved. Lowell is used to hitting several slots higher than seventh and rookie Jed Lowrie is a dangerous eighth hitter. The team's weakest hitter, Jason Varitek (.220), was ninth.

"I don't think I ever looked to have Lowell hitting seventh but this is the group we wanted," said Francona. "Mikey is deserving of hitting higher but all things considered it makes sense to hit him seventh. We're pretty fortunate. We have a guy who has the ability of driving in 100 runs hitting seventh tonight."

The Red Sox have prided themselves on working opposing pitchers deliberately, forcing pitch counts to rise and coming through with runners on base. That formula needs to be the Sox' calling card once again, especially now that the lineup is complete with Drew and Lowell in their customary roles.

"The deeper you can go, the better off you are," said Francona. "We're hitting Varitek ninth, Lowrie is hitting eighth and he's had a great second half. When teams can't take a deep breath, you have a better chance to win."

 Tags  Boston Red Sox J.D. Drew Mike Lowell

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