Sox pregame: Tito's Takes

NEW YORK --- Good morning from Yankee Stadium. It's a beautiful day in the Bronx, where the Sox will attempt sweep this three-game set against the Yankees in their final visit to the (queue the late John Facenda's voice of God here) House That Ruth Built.

Sox manager Terry Francona, showing little if any hangover from Wednesday night's 11-3 thrashing of the Yankees, held his customary pre-game meeting with the media and gave updates on Sean Casey, J.D. Drew, Mike Lowell and offered his take on the implementation of instant replay.

Francona reported that Sean Casey (stiff neck) was better and would be examined in Boston Friday when the team returns to Fenway Park to host the Chicago White Sox. He also said that J.D. Drew, who Tuesday night was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a lower back strain, had returned to Boston ahead of the team and also was expected to be examined. Francona said there remained the possibility that Drew could get an epidural injection.

Mark Kotsay, acquired Wednesday from the Atlanta Braves, was penciled in at right field, which allowed for Coco Crisp to take a day off.

On the Lowell front, Francona said the third basemen's oblique tested well after Lowell did some hitting off a tee Wednesday. ``He's already complaining [to get back in the lineup], which is good,'' Francona said.

With instant replay set to be implemented in three different series Wednesday night at Wrigley Field in Chicago, McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., and Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Calif., Francona offered an interesting tidbit. ``There would've been 18 times where things would've been overturned this year. But I wonder how many times it would've been looked at.'' Asked if managers had the ability make a challenge, Francona said, ``It's not up to us, but I'm assuming that if you scream loud enough . . . They're not obligated just because you go out there and tell 'em, no. I think we're all going to feel our way through this thing.''

The lineups:

RED SOX

1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. David Ortiz, DH
4. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
5. Jason Bay, LF
6. Mark Kotsay, RF
7. Jed Lowrie, 3B
8. Alex Cora, SS
9. Jason Varitek, C
SP: Jon Lester

YANKEES

1. Johnny Damon, CF
2. Derek Jeter, SS
3. Bobby Abreu, RF
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Xavier Nady, LF
6. Robinson Cano, 2B
7. Hideki Matsui, DH
8. Cody Ransom, 1B
9. Jose Molina, C
SP: Mike Mussina