Thursday, October 8, 2009

ALDS Roster Set


The Red Sox ALDS roster is set, with the Sox keeping eleven pitchers and fourteen hitters;

Catchers:
Victor Martinez
Jason Varitek

Infielders:
Kevin Youkilis
Dustin Pedroia
Alex Gonzalez
Mike Lowell
Casey Kotchman
Jed Lowrie


Outfielders:
Jason Bay
Brian Anderson
Jacoby Ellsbury
J.D. Drew
Joey Gathright


Designated Hitter:
David Ortiz

Pitchers:
Jon Lester
Josh Beckett
Clay Buchholz
Daisuke Matsuzaka
Paul Byrd
Ramon Ramirez
Daniel Bard
Takashi Saito
Billy Wagner
Hideki Okajima
Jonathan Papelbon



Notable Absences:

Manny Delcarmen: Because he was involved in a car accident Saturday afternoon and has been struggling since July 28 (8.59 ERA), Manny was left of the playoff roster in favor of thirteen year veteran Paul Byrd, who will likely pitch in long relief for the Sox.

Rocco Baldelli : A hip flexor injury will keep Rocco out of the Division Series. The Red Sox hoped that Baldelli would make a quick recovery but he simply could not do so in time. He will be replaced by a combination of Brian Anderson, who will serve as a late inning defensive replacement and Joey Gathright, who will be the Sox primary pinch runner.

My only real concern is the Red Sox middle infield depth. Jed Lowrie has been battling a wrist injury all season long and his production has suffered as a result. (.147/.211/.265) in 68 at-bats this season. Normally a switch hitter, Lowrie will likely be limited to batting from the left side, as it causes him less pain. This is not good news as Jed hits much better from the right side of the plate in his career (RHB .338/.409/.525) vs. (LHB .222/.308/.344). The Red Sox only other infield depth is Nick Green, who continues to battle a leg injury, and utility infielder Gil Velazquez (10 career ABs), therefore Lowrie was the choice by default.

Click here for a full preview of the Red Sox vs. Angels series

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