Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here... highlighting the big storyline. Because there's nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
Right fielder J.D. Drew will serve as the Red Sox' third leadoff hitter in as many days against the Toronto Blue Jays on Patriots' Day. Drew has enjoyed tremendous success against Jays starter Ricky Romero (.450 average, .560 OBP). Meanwhile, Carl Crawford is 2-for-14 against the Toronto southpaw and has struggled to a 3-for-32 mark from the leadoff spot with the Sox.
RED SOX LINEUP
Drew, RF
Pedroia, 2B
Gonzalez, 1B
Youkilis, 3B
Ortiz, DH
Lowrie, SS
Crawford, LF
Varitek, C
Ellsbury, CF
WEEI: Drew leading off, Crawford seventh
Three leadoff hitters in as many days? Why not?! If we keep winning, it doesn't matter if Ortiz is leading off. It's actually a bit surprising that Drew has good numbers against a lefty. He's usually batting seventh or eighth vs southpaws.
Crawford is batting seventh and hopsfully he stays away from the leadoff spot. He has some tremendous pressure on him to produce and it's affecting him at the plate. He's been swinging at anything that looks decent and hasn't drawn a walk yet from the top spot of the order. He's better slated batting second but until he picks up the batting average, seventh is a good spot for him.
On Page 2, get ready for the return of the Oki-Doki!
The Red Sox called Hideki Okajima back up to the major league club Monday morning, optioning lefty reliever Felix Doubront to Triple A Pawtucket.
Doubront pitched in three games this season, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks over 2 2/3 innings. The 23-year-old last pitched Sunday, giving up a two walks and a hit in 2/3 innings.
Okajima appeared in five games with Pawtucket, not allowing a run or a walk -- and just two hits -- while striking out five in 5 2/3 innings. The veteran southpaw made his most recent appearance on Saturday, giving up one hit in 1 1/3 innings.
WEEI: Okajima called up, Doubront sent down
He's thrown remarkably well in Pawtucket but if he pitches today and his change up stays over the middle... he'll be back down in AAA. Personally, I'd love to see a revival of the Oki-Doki chant if he stays Kasai No (Japanese for on fire). Maybe we can see the 2007 Okajima. Am I asking for too much? (Probably.)
Here's the rest of the links.
Globe:Putting it together|Notes:Jacoby has unexpected power|Easy does it for Salty| Herald:Salty key contributor in Sox win|Sox finally draw a pair|Lester has April power|CSNNE:Two in a row|Notes:Lester treated to some run support|Salty gives Sox offense a boost|WEEI:Okajima called up, Doubront sent down|Drew leading off, Crawford batting seventh|No time like the present for Jacoby|
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