The Boston Globe had a quick chat with Amalie Benjamin, the entire transcript is here.
On Papelbon’s availability tonight:
I think that Papelbon’s availability is definitely in question tonight. He has thrown four innings in the last three days, a heavy workload for him.
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I will eat my computer if I am wrong, but I can’t see Daisuke Matsuzaka’s pride and honor, as well as his incredible talent, permit him to lose game 5 if it is needed. He left game 2, in which he struggled with control, with a lead.
My hope is in Jon Lester tonight, and Red Sox bats and defense, but I am not a bit worried about a mature, healthy Daisuke and Red Sox with backs to the wall, against a still-emerging Santana in the same position.
Tony Mazz talked with Mike Lowell who now has a gaint purple welt on his hip:
“Check this out,” Lowell said quietly, revealing an unsightly purple bruise the size of a softball on his right hamstring. “I don’t even know how it got there.”
I doubt he’s in there tonight, which means the top of the order really has to step up becuase Cora, Lowrie and Tek will be rounding off the bottom…
BL prediction: Pedroia and Drew play hero tonight – Lester gives us 7 solid innings – just enough to win.
Here is tonight’s Red Sox lineup…
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
5. J.D. Drew, RF
6. Jason Bay, LF
7. Mark Kotsay, 1B
8. Jed Lowrie, SS
9. Jason Varitek, C
SP – Jon Lester
Why is Kotsay in there instead of Casey? What does he offer that Casey doesn’t?
Not a whole lot. He moves a little better on the bases, but he’s got to get on for that to matter, and Casey is a lot better at that. Good question. Casey was also the last guy left on the bench in Game 3, if I remember correctly. I’m curious if he has some sort of nagging injury that nobody outside the clubhouse is aware of.
Casey has got to be hurt some how. Or he slept with Tito’s wife. Only two explanations.