Tough choice: Lowell's grit the difference

Francona opted to use veteran

ANAHEIM, Calif. - In the end, Terry Francona made the decision with ease to play Mike Lowell. The Red Sox third baseman's workout Tuesday went well enough, better than Lowell had hoped. But Francona's decision to pencil Lowell's name into the lineup, batting seventh, had more to do with Lowell's toughness than his health.

"The makeup is so good that I think it's allowing him to probably be on the field when I'm sure a lot of other people wouldn't be able to," Francona said before the opener of the Sox' American League Division Series against the Angels last night. "He's a little special in that I don't know how many people would be trying to play in this situation. Not only trying, but probably going to be able to pull it off.

"He's not going to be in the Olympics. He wasn't before, and he's not now. But I think we felt like it was good enough to give it a pretty good effort. Now, if he can play third and be healthy enough to play, we can keep [Kevin Youkilis] at first."

Francona took comfort in the depth his roster affords should Lowell's health not hold up. He could put either Sean Casey or Mark Kotsay at first, and Alex Cora can play second base or shortstop.

"If for some reason it didn't work, it's not as devastating as it might look," Francona said. "I don't mean not having Mikey. We planned on having Mikey on the roster, anyway. If something went wrong, we'd make a change."

Lowell batted lower than usual in the order because of a tear in the labrum in his right hip and went 0 for 4. If he needed to come out sooner than expected, Francona didn't want a bench player inserted into the heart of the lineup, Lowell's customary spot.

"I think it's a little safer to hit him a little lower in the order," Francona said. "Mikey is probably deserving of hitting higher in our batting order because of what he's done. I think, all things considered, it makes sense to hit him seventh."

The bunt-happy Angels could be tempted to test Lowell throughout the series. He originally hurt his hip charging a bunt in Tampa and making an off-balance throw.

"We know who bunts, and Mikey is one of the better third basemen in the league," Francona said. "If he needs to play a step shallower, he can. You can get so caught up into trying to undo the other team. If they want to send [Mark] Teixeira up there and let him test out Mikey - or Vlad [Guerrero] - please."'

Right fielder J.D. Drew (0 for 4) was also a relatively easy inclusion in the lineup. Drew batted fifth, an indication of Francona's confidence that the herniated disk in his lower back is fully healed. Drew played only 10 innings over the final 41 games of the season.

"He said he feels pretty good physically," Francona said. "His presence in the lineup is significant. With days in between games, we think he'll be OK."

Good day for Beckett

Josh Beckett threw long toss yesterday in the outfield roughly four hours before the game. At the longest distance, Beckett, wearing shorts and a long-sleeve shirt, fired several throws from about 150 feet with an exaggerated follow-through. Pushed back to Game 3 because of a strained right oblique, Beckett is still on schedule to make his start, Francona said.

"I don't know if 'lock' is an appropriate word," Francona said. "He has to answer some physical questions every step of the way, and today was a good one."

Francona said Beckett was "a little stiff" before he threw, which the team expected after he made about 60 throws Tuesday. He is scheduled to throw a side session tomorrow, but Francona said the Red Sox would alter that plan "if it's not in his best interest physically."

Timlin not up to it

The Red Sox decided to carry 10 pitchers and 15 position players on their ALDS roster. Though expected, the most glaring omission was reliever Mike Timlin, an 18-year veteran. Timlin has been a Red Sox bullpen stalwart for five seasons, but he finished this year with a 5.66 ERA and a 4-4 record.

"I think our obligations are to put the best out there we can," Francona said. "I've been with Mike for five years now. We have a lot of respect for what he has done. But still, we're always going to do what we think is right for our ball club. Just tell guys the truth and expect him to handle it. He did. He was nothing but professional."

Using 10 pitchers enabled the Sox to carry three catchers, an indication they may freely pinch hit for Jason Varitek, who batted .220 this season overall and .201 vs. righthanders.

"We're carrying three catchers to put our roster in its best position," Francona said. "We're going to try to do everything in our power to win games. If we feel running or hitting for anybody is the right thing to do, we will. If we [pinch] hit, we [pinch] run, and we come back around, we could do something again."

The Red Sox' two backup catchers are Kevin Cash, Tim Wakefield's personal catcher and the primary backup, and David Ross, a late-season acquisition known for his defense.

Early bird?

With a scoreless ninth last night, Jonathan Papelbon extended his shutout streak in the postseason to 15 2/3 innings. Before the game, Francona indicated he would not hesitate to use Papelbon early if necessary in the playoffs. "We're not going to save Pap for Thanksgiving," Francona said. "We've been working along the way so that we will have him." Although Papelbon endured one of his worst outings of the year Sunday against the Yankees, pitching through a rainstorm in a meaningless game, Francona had full confidence in his closer. "He's fine," Francona said. "His velocity is fine. His arm is fine. He's OK. We'll lean on him." . . . On Aug. 27, Kotsay awoke as an Atlanta Brave, stuck in fourth place, no chance to make the playoffs. The Red Sox acquired him that day, and now he finds himself on the brink of becoming an integral factor in the postseason. Kotsay, an 11-year veteran, has played only once in the playoffs, in 2006 with the Oakland Athletics. In 30 at-bats, he hit .200, and he cherished the experience. "It's special regardless of the situation," Kotsay said. "These guys have been there quite a bit. Some of these young guys, it's almost like they expect it, and that's a great thing. At the same point, it can be taken from you right away. You realize there's more to it, and a lot of excitement." Kotsay played 22 games with the Red Sox. He hit .226 with 12 RBIs and no home runs.

Turning the page

His clutch hitting aside, David Ortiz is known most for his amiable clubhouse nature. It wasn't always easy. "When I first got here, and I'll tell you the truth, I didn't really like this clubhouse," Ortiz said Tuesday. "I figured that's why this ball club was missing winning. Because you had All-Star players, but everybody was not on the same page, and you don't win that way. You've got to get everybody on the same page." . . . Jacoby Ellsbury entered hitless in six at-bats against Angels starter John Lackey but doubled to lead off the game . . . Francona on the difference between managing in the playoffs and the regular season: "I think more fun. There's so much anxiety. You're a little nervous. Very excited. You play all year, you go through so much [expletive] to get here. Ups and downs and guys are beat up. And then you get to play these games that are so meaningful. It's awesome."