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The headline might sound terrible, but Boston's plan is to destroy Max Scherzer with the use of left-handed hitters. Scherzer, a righty, generally mows down his fellow right-handed man, and while he certainly has his weaknesses, there's no reason to give him an inch, either. Hence Podsednik, along with three other lefties, as well as three switch-hitters.
You also have to remember that, without either Jacoby Ellsbury or Dustin Pedroia in there, things are going to look a little weird anyway. Observe:
The Tigers are once again without Austin Jackson, who remains on the 15-day disabled list, and Andy Dirks, one of the few Tigers who has hit like crazy this year, is out of the lineup for the second game in a row. That's all to the good for Boston's starter tonight, Josh Beckett, as they attempt win #4 in a row in an otherwise quiet AL East.