Sox replace Lowell on ALDS roster

What is this team's obsession with weak-hitting middle infield types? We've seen too many games end with Alex Cora making outs with Casey on the bench, and now Jeff Bailey rots away while a never-will-be who posted a .310 OBP at AAA makes the team? Youk can play a fine 3B, so why not just leave him there and back up our first base situation? I cannot express my anger and disappointment at Theo, Tito, and Co. right now.

I really thought Jeff Bailey or Chris Carter should have gotten this call.........Not a fan of this move AT ALL.

I like the move.

Velazquez is nothing more than a pinch-runner/someone who can go in and play defense in a game like last night.

With Lowrie having to play some 3rd and Cora some SS the Sox had no middle infielders...really no choice but to make this move

I would have thought Casey at first, with Carter/Bailey being added as well. However, given their track record, I just don't think we can question Theo, Tito, and the boys without seeing some evidence that they are wrong.

The only thing he'll be doing is pinch-running and we don't need another 1B off the bench... What if Crisp and Ellsbury are both in the lineup and you need a big stolen base?

Gil Who??? What are they thinking. 260 going into the playoffs counts for very little . . . and having NO playoff experience makes this change perplexing. Youk would be much better at 3rd and has demonstrated his ability to play both positions. With the majority of batters being right-handed, they are more apt to pull the ball towards third. Hits down the line (ground level) towards 1st, particularly by a right handed batter, seldom have the power to get by the infield. Making a substitute for 1st is more viable and less risky. Note how often Pedroia plays close to first? What are they thinking. Lowell's injury is sad as he provided such a high level of production last year.

There's more to baserunning than stolen bases, but Velazquez has 31 SB (and was caught 30 times) in almost a thousand career games in the minors. Maybe he's a better bet to score from second on a single, but he's not a giant asset on the bases, either. With Youk, Lowrie, and Cash all possible at third base, and Carter and Bailey able to play outfield as well as first, I fail to see the logic here.

It IS the first time that the Sox's track record wasn't enough to make me have faith in a move, and it's a minor enough issue that I'm gonna lose sleep, but it just strikes me as a bizarre indication of no confidence in Bailey/Carter.

First off...Boston.com should change the front page from ALCS to ALDS.... That could be board material after all. You have it correct in the inner page.

Well it would appear that there is no need to change the text of the front page, as once again the Red Sox found a way... and the Angels did too. Reggie Wiltis will live in infamy for his ninth inning heroics. Varitek's glove up his butt, a face full of Fenway red clay and finally, put that rag arm away Reggie.

The call-up is neither here nor there, as the rosters re-shuffle for Tampa. Who knows what that will look like, but Theo knows his match-ups, so count on the best of choices.