Kielty likely to start over Drew in Game 1.

by Allen Chace on Oct 11, 2007 1:50 PM EDT in News Comment 12 comments

Barring a sudden change of plans, it appears the Red Sox indeed will start Bobby Kielty instead of J.D. Drew in right field tomorrow night against the Cleveland Indians in the first game of the American League Championship Series.

...

Kielty, a switch-hitter who was signed as a free agent Aug. 7 after being released by Oakland, owns a .310 career batting average (9-for-29) against Sabathia with four doubles, two home runs and seven RBI. He did not face the southpaw during the regular season.

-Jeff Horrigan

I mentioned this possibility in the post below this one, but does anyone have any thoughts on this? I probably would have put Kielty in RF and maybe given Drew the start in CF over Crisp for this game.

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Re: Kielty likely to start over Drew in Game 1.

I'm not sure I care about statistics when it comes to the post season. I'd rather see Drew in there.

by kevindineen on Oct 11, 2007 2:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Kielty likely to start over Drew in Game 1.

I agree...the Sox are paying Drew a ton of money for this purpose...

by cblesz on Oct 11, 2007 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think it's a good decision.

CC is liable to make mincement of JD.

Now, he'll probably do the same to The Senator, but it's probably sound baseball judgement by Theo and Tito.

Bottom 9th B:1 S:0 O:0 With Bill Mueller batting, Dave Roberts steals (1) 2nd base.

by britsoxfan on Oct 11, 2007 3:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Kielty likely to start over Drew in Game 1.

I like this move. Drew should sit and have Coco start in CF. Coco trumps him in defense and speed. Drew has only played 29.1 innings in CF this year. I don't think this is the opportune time to throw him out there to roam center...

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Oct 11, 2007 4:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This is definitely going out on a limb....

... but I got a feeling that starting Crisp is the right move, too. Covelli. Is going. Deep! Tonight!

Tony the Pony

by Tony the pony on Oct 12, 2007 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Kielty likely to start over Drew in Game 1.

I'll take Kielty over Drew. Let Drew rest for a few days, weeks.

by sdkramer.otm on Oct 11, 2007 5:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Kielty likely to start over Drew in Game 1.

Seeing as Drew has been hot of late, I don't see this making sense. In the post season, you have to go with what's working well. Don't mess with it.

John

by sportingchinwag on Oct 11, 2007 5:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Kielty likely to start over Drew in Game 1.

Kielty is a good matchup against C.C., and Drew can always come off the bench later in the game if a righty reliever like Betancourt or Borowski comes in.

by ish on Oct 11, 2007 7:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Kielty likely to start over Drew in Game 1.

Exactly. I'd rather see the favorable match-up early and have Drew's bat/speed later in the game if need-be.

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Oct 12, 2007 12:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: Kielty likely to start over Drew in Game 1.

I was wondering how much more of an advantage Kielty would have over Drew in this situation, so I decided to look at some numbers. From a sheerly statistical standpoint, I would rather have Kielty start. Let him face CC until a righty reliever comes in, then I want to see Kielty back on the bench. I agree with Tito's logic here entirely: a player who has had offensive troubles the entire year should sit when facing a pitcher he has even less of a chance against. Lets just hope Kielty can get the job done.

Here are Drew's splits:
vs. Left: .224
vs. Right: .286

And here's Kielty's:
vs. Left: .260
vs. Right: .162

by redsoxrocko on Oct 12, 2007 1:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Kielty likely to start over Drew in Game 1.

I checked the same stats. Noticed Kielty's low BAALHP, but looked at his career numbers and found them in the .290s, which is good for me. It's been a bad season for him, but historically he can hit those lefties.

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Oct 12, 2007 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs