What do you think the perfect Boston Red Sox lineup should be?

Question

I personally think that this thing is a mess, but could be fixed up. I may not be a pro, or even play entirely great in any means, but I think that this could still be fixed. Now my personal opinion is this:

1. Jacoby Ellsbury: He may be struggling with a .259 average, but I think that first with Dustin Pedroia still batting pretty hot, that will increase runners in scoring position, or even help him get more RBI's in the long term. And with Ellsbury's speed, there might already be a runner in scoring position.

2. Dustin Pedroia: With how hot his bat has been, and if Ellsbury was in front of him, his RBI number's could be a whole lot higher also.

3. Jason Bay: Now with Boston, he may even be better in the American League. Or worse. Put him in a third spot for a while, to get him used to the American League.

4. David Ortiz: When healthy, he has always deserved that 4 spot more than ever now without Manny's Being Manny In Boston curse.

5. J.D. Drew: Even though he might not be on a huge tear, he still does not deserve to be downed in the lineup.

6. Kevin Youkillis: With power, he could be used later in the lineup a very powerful anchor.

7. Mike Lowell: Usually in a lot of plaes he could play clean-up, but like Youkillis to an extent, he could really be needed aas an anchor.

8. Jed Lowrie: Having now replaced Julio Lugo, the SS position does not have to be last.

9. Kevin Cash: Even though he does not have a great average, Jason Varitek's is just utterly horrible. But he not the capitain...

And yes, I am a Boston fan.

Answer 1

The perfect Red Sox Lineup would be no red sox lineup XD

Answer 2

I think 1-4 is good or maybe even youkilous at 3rd batter(he's is always giving pitchers a tough time, he got 2 more homeruns tonight which equals 20!)

Then put Bay at 5th, and JD Drew at 7th, Lowell at 6th.  I still think you need to have Varitek at 8th and Lowrie at 9th.  Varitek needs to be in there strictly for defense and calling the game.  I dont think anyone in the Majors but Varitek can handle DICE K.  Lowrie would be better at 9th so he could get on base for the top of the lineup and not slow jacoby down.  Here's how I would have the lineup.

1. Jacoby Ellsbury

2. Dustin Pedroia

3. Kevin Youkilous

4. David Ortiz

5. Jason Bay

6. Mike Lowell

7. J.D. Drew

8. Jason Varitek

9. Jed Lowrie  

Answer 3

1. Dustin Pedoria

2. Kevin Youkilis

3. JD Drew

4. David Ortiz

5. Jason Bay

6. Mike Lowell

7. Jed Lowrie

8. Jason Varitek

9.Jacoby Ellsbury

Its a little different then what we are normally use to .. but ellsbury and crisp dont get on enough to lead off.  

Answer 4

I agree. Ellsbury should be moved back up to slot #1 soon, but I enjoy the Dusty, Youk, Ortiz combo right now. Until Ellsbury snaps this huge slump, Dusty and Youk (who are both batting over .300) should remain in slots 1 and 2.  Jason Bay will be batting 5th until he's fully used to the American league, and by the way he's been hitting these last 2 nights, he seems like he's used to the AL already. He may either move up to 3rd or 4th, depending on what Terry Francona thinks is best. Ottiz has been in the 3 slot for forever, and we've been pretty successful, so he may not want to change that.  I would change your 5,6,and 6 from Drew, Youk, Lowell to Youk, Lowell, Drew. Youk has a high batting average, and with 2 guys like Lowell and Drew behind him, he's bound to score often. Lowell often hits for extra bases too, and Drew is a good guy to knock him in. Lowrie fits the 8-slot well, so I'd leave him there. Cash may be a better hitter than Jason, but Jason is the team leader. Without his presence on the field, pitchers barely know what to pitch. Varitek knows which pitches to throw and when to thrown them.  Cash would definitely not do such a good job. Varitek is the reason that several young guns (Lester, Buchholtz, Masterson, etc..) have come up from AAA to have great seasons in the MLB. Cash can not call a game from behind the plate the way Jason can, so I would definitely sacrifice .080 of a batting average to see Jason play.

Here's my favorite line-up for when Ellsbury starts hitting and for when Jason Bay is more comfortable in the league.

1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF

2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B

3. David Ortiz, DH

4. Jason Bay, LF

5. Kevin Youkilis, 1B

6. Mike Lowell, 3B

7. JD Drew, RF

8. Jed Lowrie, SS

9. Jason Varitek, C (Kevin Cash when Wake pitches)

Answer 5

Nothin' gonna get them past the Halos this year my friend... not even if The Babe himself came back and suited up.

I concur with Mr. Yankee fan above. God, if I have to watch Youkalis'  (sp?) retarded batting stance one more time....

Answer 6

i like it.  they are all hungry, even the ones who are struggling.

Answer 7

1. Bill Buckner

2. Nomar Garciaparra

3. Bill Buckner

4. Nomar Garciaparra

5. Bill Buckner

6. Nomar Garciaparra

7. Bill Buckner

8. J. D. Drew

9. Bill Buckner

Jeff Suppan pitching.