Please don't tell me JD Drew will be batting 3rd

[kemper5]

To me this is a absolute complte waist of time for the Red Sox to put Drew in the 3 hole. His stats this year (.263 Ave, 6 HR, 21 RBI, 24 BB in 137 AB's) are not nearly good for a 3 hitter in that lineup. I think a bad mistake is being made here ONLY because he is Left handed is why they are batting him 3rd. Bay is far far more deserving here or even Youk. GO ahead, but if you want very mediocre production out of the 3 hole put JD in there..What a crock this is with this Left/Right stuff! Come on Drew Fans back up you're 18 HR, 64 RBI, .279 Ave , 72 BB's JD Drew

[auclairkeithbc]

well according to some here who supposedly know about maximizing lineups, the #3 hitter should be the 5th or 6th best hitter on the team.

[kemper5]

Id say Drew is their 7th-9th best hitter..

[Slayer Rules]

Hey I wouldn't knock it just yet - last year Drew was bumped up to the 3-hole right around the beginning of June and he absolutely raked for about a month or so - pretty much single-handedly carried my team during that time.

I'm sure Francona remembers - and that's why he's trying it again.

I'm not "a fan" of Drew - but I disagree with those who say he's one of the worst hitters on that team. He's actually a really good hitter IMO.

If he's still available as a FA I'd add him specifically because he's hitting 3rd - and I'm not kidding.

Just expect him to get hurt again shortly.

[auclairkeithbc]

drew is probably the sox 4th best hitter right now. he is behind youk, bay and pedroia for sure.

he is definitively better than tek, and any of the shortstops. he is also better than papi right now and a better hitter than ellsbury, by almost any standard other than pure average. he is arguably better than lowell - so far this year in total, and in may, drew's been a little better than lowell, but it is close.

[pappymojo]

I trust Tito.

[BitterDodgerFan]

drew ain't that bad when he's actually playing.

[bigken117]

I trust Tito.

+1

I also think it has something to do with keeping the R-L-R thing going 2-3-4

[Field]

For all of the talk of Ortiz killing the Red Sox they're still top 5 in most major offensive categories. I think they'll be fine with Drew hitting 3rd given his plate approach and ability to take a walk. He's a professional hitter and is probably more valuable hitting in front of RBI men than trying to take on that role himself.

[thedude]

Drew's numbers are so much better hitting third than they are at any other spot in the lineup (300/.417/.551 with 79 of his 198 homers). Plus he is an on base machine, there will be guys on base for Bay and Youk