Jed Lowrie makes postseason roster; Gil Velazquez around for insurance

by Randy Booth on Oct 6, 2009 8:19 PM EDT in News Comment 13 comments

Boston Red Sox's Jed Lowrie takes a strike during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009, in New York. Lowrie departed in the fourth inning with an irritated left forearm. The Red Sox lost 13-6. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

More photos » by Frank Franklin II - AP

3 months ago: Boston Red Sox's Jed Lowrie takes a strike during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009, in New York. Lowrie departed in the fourth inning with an irritated left forearm. The Red Sox lost 13-6. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

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Although he's still not 100 percent healthy, Terry Francona announced that Jed Lowrie will be the backup infielder for the ALDS:

The move did not come as a surprise given the status of Nick Green and Chris Woodward, the other two candidates. Woodward is still tending to his wife, who recently gave birth, and Green said today, "Right now, I don’t think I'll be able to" play in the first round.

Lowrie’s wrist is not 100 percent, but he proved over the season’s final weekend, when hit lefthanded consecutive days and clobbered a grand slam, that he is capable. Lowrie said his wrist felt "a little tight" today, which is "normal stuff."

As insurance, the Red Sox added shortstop Gil Velazquez to their clubhouse. Velazquez would have become a free agent Monday, but when the Red Sox called him Saturday it ensured he would extend his contract with the Sox until the end of the World Series.

I guess I'd rather have a hurt Lowrie than a healthy Velazquez, even though Velazquez isn't too bad. He's a solid player. Also in that update, Mike Lowell is apparently healthy and ready to go and there's still a lot of uncertainty around Rocco Baldelli's injury.

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Meantime, Twins and Tigres to extra innings.

@bs_uf15bosox9be The Original Gameday; Learn to use SB Nation

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Oct 6, 2009 8:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I would

like to throttle Rayburn for that play in left. Tigers should have won this game, and have blown it…3 times.

by Buzzy on Oct 6, 2009 8:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

Also, the strike 3 call on Polanco in the top of the 9th, with runners on the corners and no outs, pissed me off.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Oct 6, 2009 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tigers gotta win

Verlander 2x VS MFY only shot at 1st round MFY elimination.

VARITEK MUST GO
Brandon Webb in 2010

by gizmosandy on Oct 6, 2009 9:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

its not just that

sure-the Tigers have better 1-2-3 (Twins starting pitching sucks). But just as importantly is that the Twins can’t hit lefties-they are worse against lefties than the Tigers even though offensively they have been much better than the Tigers this year. Kubel, Mauer and Span are all LHB. The Yankees will throw 2 lefties out of 3. Never has a team matched up worse than the Twins do against the Yankees.

by Buzzy on Oct 6, 2009 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

... Go Tigres!!!

@bs_uf15bosox9be The Original Gameday; Learn to use SB Nation

by bs.uf15bosox9bears23 on Oct 6, 2009 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

umps just blew game winning hbp (potentially)...

by Buzzy on Oct 6, 2009 9:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That bugged me too.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Oct 6, 2009 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Twins win

I wanted this, i know you guys wanted the tigers to win but honestly the Twins have the better shot. Of course Verlander is great but the Yankees proved all year that opposing pitchers dont matter, they are hitting EVERYBODY. The twins pitching isnt any better but they have more team speed and better offense (which you will need because you’re going to have to score a little to beat the yankees this year).

by qthaballa on Oct 6, 2009 10:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The Tigers are better v. left-handed pitching

And Cash Cow and Pettitte are lefties.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Oct 6, 2009 10:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Doenst matter in my opinion

I’m looking at the offense as a whole (all facets) and the twins seem better to me, especially in the clutch

by qthaballa on Oct 6, 2009 11:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If the Twins win this series, it will be one of the greatest upsets ever

I’ll be happy if they even win a game, let alone send the series to a deciding game.

I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.

by Drugs Delaney on Oct 7, 2009 7:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Are you high?

The Twins have no pitching. Their best pitchers belong in a nursery rhyme, not a ballpark: Blackburn, Baker and Candlestickmaker. Their offense begins and ends with Joe Mauer. The only thing I see remotely impressive (aside from the best player in baseball, Joe Mauer) is the pen, which has three good relievers. But this is not a playoff-winning team. It’s barely a playoff-making team.

"It's just a tiny little nick, but it hurts when I get champagne in there."
- Jason Bay, on getting spiked scoring the winning run in ALDS Game Four.

by 0157H7 on Oct 6, 2009 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs