For starters, count starters in
Timlin, Aardsma, Bailey on bubble
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TORONTO - With seven games left, and the Red Sox nearly assured of making the postseason, one of the key remaining details to be worked out is the playoff roster. Though the Sox certainly are not divulging that information, and are dealing with injuries, one of the biggest decisions is whether to go with 10 or 11 pitchers for the American League Division Series.
"We've talked about every scenario, I think, out there," manager Terry Francona said. "There just is no reason, first of all, to make a playoff roster or schedule when we're not in yet. But, believe me, we've looked at everything and we will continue to. There's got to be a balance of preparing and also not getting ahead of ourselves with [the media], with the players even. There's a proper time to do everything."
As it stands now - barring major injuries - the Sox would include all five starters on their roster, pushing either Paul Byrd or Tim Wakefield to the bullpen. There are advantages and disadvantages to both choices, notable among them the role that catcher Kevin Cash plays for Wakefield, which complicates matters when Wakefield pitches in relief.
So, in addition to Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, and Daisuke Matsuzaka, most of the bullpen spots appear to be assured. Jonathan Papelbon will be there; so should Manny Delcarmen, Hideki Okajima, Justin Masterson, and Javier Lopez. That's 10. The final spot could be between Mike Timlin and David Aardsma, with Timlin's experience and ability to throw strikes potentially winning out.
Injuries are more a factor with the position players. Mike Lowell, J.D. Drew, and Julio Lugo all are battling injuries with varying degrees of success. With another setback for Lugo (quadriceps) Saturday, his season appears to be over. As for Lowell, the third baseman and his manager have been optimistic about his ability to recover enough from his hurting right hip to take the field. He might not be free of discomfort, but he should be available to play.
Drew remains the wild card. The right fielder hasn't played since Aug. 17 because of his strained lower back, which continued to spasm over the weekend. Time is "dwindling" for him, Francona said Saturday, but there is the possibility Drew could be included on the roster simply to pinch hit.
The seeming guarantees (again, barring injuries) are David Ortiz, Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, Jed Lowrie, Lowell, Jason Varitek, Jason Bay, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Mark Kotsay. Coco Crisp, who also could be listed as a starter, along with Cash, Sean Casey, and Alex Cora, stand to be the reserves. That leaves one spot open if the Sox keep 11 pitchers, which could be Drew or Jeff Bailey. If the Sox keep 10 pitchers, Drew and Bailey both could make it.
Papelbon hits 40
By getting the final three outs yesterday, giving up only a single to Vernon Wells, Papelbon earned his 40th save of the season, the first time in his career he has reached that milestone.
The number didn't necessarily get Francona all that excited, it was more about the pitching for him.
"Whether he had 39 or 41, he's done a great job," the manager said. "But I don't get real caught up in those types of numbers. I think they can be a little deceiving. How he's throwing the ball and getting big outs [matters]."
Papelbon's career high had been 37 saves last season, after getting 35 in 2006.
"For me, you obviously want to get there and be put in that class," Papelbon said. "For me, it ultimately is to stay healthy and finish out the season and get to that ultimate goal. Personal goals are obviously great, stuff like that, reach a career high in saves and stuff. I tend to throw those away during postseason play, you know what I mean?
"It all boils down to consistency. I don't want to put up 40, and then the next year 20, and then the next year 40. I want to be that consistent guy year after year."
Lugo pessimistic
Lugo reinjured his strained quadriceps while fielding a ground ball Saturday, and yesterday he seemed more pessimistic about his chances to return by season's end than at any point since he began working out. "I don't know," Lugo said when asked if he still hoped to come back this week. "We're not going to put any dates. We'll see what happens. We're going to see the doctors tomorrow, see what I have to do. I don't get that explosion every time I try to push it." While Lugo spoke in hushed tones, he didn't regret the way he went about his rehab. "You've got to test it to see how it is," Lugo said. "If you don't test it, you can't go into the game knowing what's going on, how it's going to react. You don't want to go into the game with a man on third, hit a ground ball, and not be able to beat it out. You've got to test it before you go in there."
Lowell status quo
There was no update on Lowell's condition. He has not been doing anything over the weekend, just trying to give the new medication a chance to work, and "let it cool down," Francona said. Francona said they were hoping for a "marked improvement" over the next couple of days . . . Francona did not anticipate Drew would need to see a back specialist when the team returned to Boston, but he will be re-evaluated . . . Though he started off his stint in the major leagues sizzling, Lowrie has scuffled of late. He has just four hits, and 10 strikeouts, in his last eight games. He's 4 for 28 after an 0 for 4 with two strikeouts yesterday . . . It appears for now that the starters will stay on their normal days instead of being moved around for the playoffs. There is the possibility a couple of starts could be cut short. That is especially true if the Division Series begins Wednesday instead of Thursday . . . The Sox ended up with a 39-42 road record, just the second time since 1998 they had a losing road record. They also had one in 2006 . . . The shutout was the 16th for Sox pitching . . . Pedroia's double was his 52d of the season, leading the major leagues. He also stole his 19th base.
Amalie Benjamin can be reached at abenjamin@globe.com. Adam Kilgore of the Globe staff contributed to this report. 
