Red Sox Report: Big Holes Sox’ Line-up

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Friday, August 19, 2011

Scott Cordischi, GoLocalProv Sports Editor

What was once a dominant line-up doesn’t look so formidable right about now.

With David Ortiz out of the mix due to bursitis in his right heel and Kevin Youkilis headed to the disabled list with back soreness, the Red Sox now have a big hole in the middle of the order.

Between them, Ortiz and Youkilis have combined for 41 homeruns and 157 RBI. That’s a lot of production now missing from the line-up.

Thursday’s batting order in Kansas City featured Jacoby Ellsbury in the lead-off spot followed by Jed Lowrie, Adrian Gonzalez, Dustin Perdoia and Josh Reddick. So, essentially, Lowrie and Reddick replaced Big Papi and Youk in the top half of the batting order. Between the two of them they have 10 homeruns and 52 RBI. Not exactly on par with the men they have replaced.

Still, injuries are a part of the game. The Yankees have done just fine without Alex Rodriguez in the middle of their line-up for the past 5-6 weeks. Boston needs to find a way to do the same and stay in contention for the AL East title as opposed to settling for just the Wild card spot.

-One of the players who really needs to pick it up offensively is left fielder Carl Crawford. The high-priced free agent acquisition has had a disappointing start to his career in Boston and has struggled as of late. Heading into the series with Kansas City, Crawford was 0 for his last 14. That includes 7 strikeouts.

When he came off of the disabled list last month, it appeared that Crawford was finally coming around at the plate. He had a great series against theYankees earlier this month going 9-12 in the series . However, since that series he has gone just 4-31 for a batting average of just .129 over that span. For the season he is hitting just .249 with 7 homers and 35 RBI.

-With Youkilis on the DL and Ortiz on the shelf, Boston called up catcher/slugger Ryan Lavarnway from Pawtucket. Between AA-Portland and AAA-Pawtucket, Lavarnway has combined to hit .293 with 30 HR’s and 85 RBI. Lavarnway batted 7th and served as Boston’s DH in last night’s opener in KC.

-Lefty Andrew Miller will get a shot at starting again on Friday when he takes the mound against the Royals. Miller is 4-1 on the season with a 5.40 ERA. His last start was July 31st against the White Sox in Chicago.