I second the notion of Lugo at the bottom with Crisp, running wild when they manage to get on base-- they're a combined 14/15 on SBs so far this year.

But how about Drew up at the top? Even while he's scuffling he's managed a .364 OBP. And he may not have much power. Plus he's got better speed than Pedroia, and putting him up there avoids throwing a rookie (does DP still have rookie status?) up in a high-pressure spot in the order.

How about Drew/Youkilis/Ortiz/Manny/Lowell/Varitek/Lugo/Crisp/Pedroia? That's L/R/L/R/R/S/R/S/R. I might prefer Youkilis/Drew/Manny/Ortiz/Lowell/Varitek/Lugo/Crisp/Pedroia, which is R/L/R/L/R/S/R/S/R-- but that's even less likely to happen.

Probably Francona just sticks with what they've got. It's not like the team as a whole is struggling.

From Amfox at SoxProspects.com:

As of 5/8

Next 13G - 6/38, 6TB, 4/7 K/BB (158/289/158/447)

Last 11G - 12/33, 21TB, 3/5 K/BB (364/447/636/1083)

Next 13G - 6/38, 6TB, 4/7 K/BB (158/289/158/447)

Damn, I was really hoping he'd keep this up.

Yeah, I'm unconvinced in re: lineup. Seeing how little time it took for Pedroia to get his numbers back to respectable, why would we start jumping Julio Lugo around in the order, given that his projections are in the same range and he's struggling primarily in BABIP? I don't see particular value-added there, to make the effort worth it in shaking up the order.

Small sample thing that I've been keeping an eye on this year - Kevin Youkilis' strikeout rate. He's cut it by about 40%, and he's seeing notably fewer pitches per AB. I think he's added just a notch of aggressiveness, particularly with two strikes - basically, he looks like he might have made some minor adjustments of the type that traditionalists would want from him. There's a good chance this is nothing, either that no adjustments have been made or that their effect is negligible. But if Youkilis can really cut into his strikeout rate without killing his on-contact numbers or losing walks, that's a nice little way for a ballplayer to improve.

I <3 Pedroyer

Maybe Remy will finally give the kid a break. Has anyone figured out why exactly Pedroia should not take his huge swings on two strike counts given that he never strikes out?

I say keep Pedroia at the bottom of the lineup. Stick all the On base guys near the top of the lineup, and stick guys like Coco and Lugo in the 6th and 7th spots... because that's where book says we shoudl leverage our base stealers.

Drew/Youkilis/Ortiz/Manny/Lowell/Varitek/Lugo/Crisp/Pedroia

SOLD

What about:

Drew/Youkilis/Ortiz/Manny/Lowell/Pena/Lugo/Varitek/Pedroria?

Maybe Remy will finally give the kid a break. Has anyone figured out why exactly Pedroia should not take his huge swings on two strike counts given that he never strikes out?

Yup. There was that single to right in Minnesota where Remy was sure he'd cut down on his swing, but I checked back, and he wound up and ended up on his heels just as much as ever - the difference was that he'd attempted to shoot the ball the right. I can see the case that he needs to go opposite field more, but the swing seems to remain the same.

I think Remy keeps on Pedroia's case about the big swing because that's what Remy himself tried and it didn't work at all for him. So Remy is projecting his own experience onto Pedroia, wrongfully assuming their power potential and contact ability is equal.

But they aren't.

Dustin Pedroia 254/361/380
David Wright 254/347/373

any questions?

Pedroia- 101 OPS+
Cano- 88 OPS+

Pedroia's K/BB ratio: 7/12 (14/19 career).

In 4963 PA's Jerry Remy hit 7 homeruns.

In 181 PA's, Pedroia already has 3.

I think I detect a bit of the green-eyed monster rearing it's ugly head here.

In Remy's defense, are not all men envious of Dustin Pedroia?

Rudy Pemberton over at SoSH points out that "Boston 2B are batting 305/394/516." Obviously Cora can't keep hitting like he has, but that's a heck of a combo so far (with Pedroia, to Francona's credit, getting most of the ABs, despite his early struggles).

I'm generally not a big fan of goatees, but I think Pedroia's works for him. It makes him look less like he's 12 and more like the fire-breathing stallion that he is.

Dustin Pedroia has as many XBHs as he does SOs (7).

2 more hits tonite, he's up to .270. I love seeing a young player develop before your eyes.

At this rate, I project his batting average to be .974 in a little over a month, at which time his OBP will be well over a thousand.

John,

I've got him at .267 .368 .387. Still great stuff of course. Cano went 0-4 and is now at .258 .305 .350. Those aren't mad hits like he was Rod Carew.

Those aren't mad hits like he was Rod Carew.

Or as Sterling said last year..."Cano has a magic wand...he can get a hit any time he wants!"

Dustin Pedroia has as many XBHs as he does SOs (7).

That is true of his minor league career also. CHB ripped Pedroia before the season started and I never understood why. His mL numbers indicated he could play and that his swing wasn't 'too long.'

CHB ripped Pedroia before the season started and I never understood why.

You don't really try to understand why CHB rips people, do you , Mitch?

Isn't that like trying to understand why the desert seems so dry?

At this rate, I project his batting average to be .974 in a little over a month, at which time his OBP will be well over a thousand.

GGMC: Now what if the Red Sox were to enter the Indianapolis 500? Uhhh, what would you predict would be the outcome, huh?

MCoA: How would they compete?

GGMC: Well, let's say they rode together in a big bus.

kevin: Is Pedroia driving?

GGMC: Of course.

kevin: Then I like the Red Sox!

GGMC: Sure.

I'm generally not a big fan of goatees, but I think Pedroia's works for him. It makes him look less like he's 12 and more like the fire-breathing stallion that he is.

Is it a goatee, or a type of modified Fu-Manchu? I agree it makes him look better out there, and it has coincided with his recent statistical climb up to repectablity.

Pedroia

As of 5/8

Last 11G - 12/33, 21TB, 3/5 K/BB (364/447/636/1083)

so, what kind of steroids is he taking?

so, what kind of steroids is he taking?

Flintstones.

Dustin Pedroia 254/361/380
David Wright 254/347/373

any questions?

It was just a matter of time.

GGMC: Now what if the Red Sox were to enter the Indianapolis 500? Uhhh, what would you predict would be the outcome, huh?

MCoA: How would they compete?

GGMC: Well, let's say they rode together in a big bus.

kevin: Is Pedroia driving?

GGMC: Of course.

kevin: Then I like the Red Sox!

GGMC: Sure.

GGMC: Okay, now it's Dustin Pedroia against the '27 Yankees.

kevin: Oh, I say Pedrioa 11-2.

GGMC: Wait wait wait. Pedroia is 8 inches tall.

kevin: He's doubled his height? Okay, Pedroia 105, Yanks 0.

I can't be the only one who thought of Scrappy Doo upon seeing the title.
Pe-pe-pe-Pedroia Power!

Those aren't mad hits like he was Rod Carew.

Got the ill communication