Role Reversal: Lowrie and Tek Taking Over

photo © 2009 Keith Allison | more info (via: Wylio)With every loss, the dread of Red Sox Nation grows. There’s…

The Legend of Jed Lowrie

photo © 2009 Keith Allison | more info (via: Wylio)This was quite the weekend for Jed Lowrie as he got…

Nothing a Little Controversy Can’t Fix

I LOVE THE SMELL OF CONTROVERSY IN THE MORNING!  Don’t you?  According to Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal, it…

2011 Red Sox Projected Stolen Bases

photo © 2007 Eric Kilby | more info (via: Wylio) ^ Bill James’s total projected stolen bases: 143 My total…

Ten Things to Watch for this Spring

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Scutaro or Lowrie?

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The Return of Judas? If Not, Who Could Help?

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Constructing the best lineup to get to October

The Red Sox ended up splitting their four-game series in the Bronx Monday with a 2-1 win. While it was pitching that won the game, it was a small change in lineup construction that could pay dividends over the last two months, should it stick. However, along with hitting Ellsbury ninth, there are other ways to re-work the Red Sox lineup and maximize their run scoring potential

Marco Scutaro has done a fine job filling in as the leadoff hitter for the majority of the season and Dustin Pedroia may be back next week. Once Pedroia returns, his best fit would be at leadoff as he is second on the the Sox in OBP (just under Adrian Beltre, who's OBP is mostly due to his AVG) and pitches per plate appearance (which comes into play later). Pedroia and Scutaro at the top of the order provide plenty of contact and good OBP. That, hopefully more often than not, sets the stage for Adrian Beltre--hitting third--to take the same approach he has all season and David Ortiz to swing for the fences in the cleanup spot.

Marco Scutaro, unheralded pro

Last winter, Red Sox fans were adamant that a major trade for an impact shortstop was going to occur. Following an unceremonious sweep from the 2009 ALDS, Red Sox fans were looking for a jolt of energy to help ease the pain of a stinging end to the season. Perhaps there would be a glorious return of Hanley Ramirez to Fenway? Everyone was looking for the splash that landed Ramirez, or at least something along the lines of JJ Hardy or Stephen Drew.

At worst, fans were hoping that the Red Sox would re-sign Alex Gonzalez, the light-hitting, no on-base skill, defensive whiz.

Defense starts to silence the critics

After an off season that centered around pitching and defense we had the standard jokes this April, but since May those jokes have not been able to joke about defense. There has been some trouble finding solid options in left field and center field, but the defense has solidified to hold up its end. According to UZR/150 the defense has been worth 6.0 runs for every 150 defensive games played. Last year the team was worth only 0.5 runs for every 150 games. Depending on how many innings they total that could be an improvement of 30-40 defensive runs.