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Morning Sox Stuffers 4/18/2011: On Carl Crawford, A Slumper And A Gentleman

By Ben Buchanan@OverTheMonster Apr 18, 2011, 3:59am EDT

Back In Boston

Crawford Diary: Only going to get better -- Carl Crawford, ESPN

Nobody seems to be more reviled around these parts right now than Carl Crawford, and I kind of hate it.

Is he struggling at the plate? Yes. Everyone does at some point or another for whatever period of time, and it's fair to be frustrated, but at the same time Crawford has done just about everything off the field that you would usually expect to result in, well, a fan favorite.

Magadan Chimes In on Crawford -- Brian MacPherson, Providence Journal

Of course, the stuff on the field is real, which leads to everyone having an opinion as to what's wrong, as for me...

Carl Crawford's BABIP In Graph Form -- @RedSoxStats

I point to this. Has he looked bad? Yes, but bad luck sort of tends to feed itself as guys start pressing. Once he finds his stride, Crawford will be quite the contributer. Now, moving on to another great guy whose contract people complain (rightfully) about...

Mike Lowell adjusting well to life after baseball -- David Villavicencio, Fox Sports Florida

Lester Happy To Finally Start Strong -- Alex Speier, WEEI

Boston Red Sox extension for Adrian Gonzalez makes sense -- Jon Paul Morosi, Fox Sports

How Josh Beckett got his groove back - Rob Bradford, WEEI

When in trouble, Francona calls on Bard - Tim Britton, Providence Journal

While it's not quite the roaming closer situation many around these parts support, it's close to that. I just hope Tito won't hesitate to bring Bard into the game in the fifth or sixth if the situation calls for it.

Of course, ironically enough, through the first few games of the season it's actually Jonathan Papelbon who should be putting out all the fires.

Terry Francona: Lowrie too hot to sit -- Alex Speier, WEEI