Daily Red Sox Links: David Ortiz, Jon Lester, Daniel Nava

You can't be too upset about splitting a shorty down in Tampa, especially as the starting pitching keeps it going.

I don't get this whole lead-off thing. To me, while Jacoby Ellsbury is out the Red Sox best lead off option is Dustin Pedroia. There's no justification for giving the most plate appearances to Ryan Sweeney or Mike Aviles when the Red Sox lineup features Pedroia, Gonzalez, Ortiz, and either Youk or Middlebrooks. You could put someone else in the lead off spot and not kill the team, and in fact the Red Sox have done just that, but I don't get it. Brian MacPherson looks at some options and suggests Daniel Nava. (Brian MacPherson; The Providence Journal)

David Ortiz is doing something different. The question is what? (Ben Lindbergh; Baseball Prospectus (Behind the pay wall))

Jon Lester's season might not be as bad as you think. (Alex Speier; WEEI.com)

There were some issues with the strike zone last night. Mike Aviles took it upon himself to alert the home plate umpire to the opinions of the masses. (Brian MacPherson; The Providence Journal)

Looking at four talented young pitchers who aren't having their best seasons, including our own Clay Buchholz. (Marc Normandin; Baseball Nation)

What is bad news for Mike Moustakas is good news for Marlon Byrd, or so says the De-Lucker! (Bradley Woodrum; Fan Graphs)

If the Angels keep scuffling old friend Terry Francona may be back in the managing gig sooner than we think. (Sports Illustrated's Truth and Rumors)

Repeating a level isn't anything any prospect wants to do, but sometimes it's really for the best. Sometimes, though, it isn't. Here's an early look at how some of the level repeaters in the Red Sox system are doing this year. (Jon Meoli; Sox Prospects via ESPN Boston)

Finally, Jason Wojciechowski looks at hitting coaches and Mickey Hatcher's firing from the Angels. (Jason Wojciechowski; The Platoon Advantage)