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Red Sox notes: Why Dustin Pedroia won’t be cleaning up for a while 09.02.11 at 9:07 pm ET
By Mike Petraglia

For now, Dustin Pedroia will have to wait for another cleanup role.

Terry Francona is well aware of how very productive Dustin Pedroia has been in the No. 4 hole for the Red Sox with injuries to Kevin Youkilis and David Ortiz.

Pedroia’s career numbers hitting fourth are downright Ted Williams-esque, with 41 hits in 101 at-bats for a .406 average. He has belted seven homers and driven in 23 in 24 career starts, 20 of which have come this season.

But Youkilis is back from his back woes and David Ortiz has rediscovered his swagger so the pressing need isn’t there.

“I think’s Youk’s been good in the middle of the order,” Terry Francona said Friday. “There may come a day or days when we flip-flop Youk and David a little bit just as we get close to the playoffs, who knows.”

Told Youkilis could always hit second, Francona said sure, but not so fast.

“But I don’t we’d want to. Pedey’s a good 2-hitter. He does so many things with the bat, manipulates the bat, and I actually think he likes hitting there. I know what he’s done as a clean-up hitter but you put Pedey in any number in the order, there’s going to be times where he just goes off because he’s that type of hitter.”

Meanwhile, Francona was asked his thoughts on lefty Felix Doubront, who threw 1 1/3 innings in a pressure situation after Daniel Bard gave up the lead to the Yankees on Thursday. He walked one but struck out two with the help of his newest weapon – the cutter.

“I thought the ball came out of his hand pretty good,” Francona said. “A couple of cutters, a breaking balls, couple of good ones, a couple that were misfires. And that’s sort of been the case with him. He’s got the breaking ball that’s going to be a good pitch. It’s got to be more consistent. How much he throws that cutter will be interesting as he gets more mature because he has a nice feel for it but it’s something you don’t want him throwing too much. But he’s got that fastball that’s 92,93,94 with some life to it and it’s hard to run on him because he’s so short [in delivery] so there’s a lot to like.”

Tim Wakefield came out of the bullpen to throw four scoreless innings Friday night after the game was out of hand at 10-0. The work was his first in a game in a week. Francona said that while Wakefield might not be thrilled, the hope is that it will refresh him as he still looks for career win No. 200.

“He might not get extra time off,” Francona said before the game. “He might throw out of the bullpen. Pretty much everybody has gotten a break, whether it’s been a DL, like with [John Lackey], guys have gotten a blow somewhere. And coming into the season Wake was in the bullpen. He’s gotten a bunch of starts so I hope it’ll really do him some good. I don’t think guys like it but the hope is it will help.”

Francona didn’t want to play Conor Jackson against lefty Derek Holland on Friday but a late illness to Carl Crawford left him little choice as Jackson fell to 0-for-11 career against Holland in the loss. Before Crawford was scratched, Francona said he was looking to get the newcomer in on Sunday, and admitted that getting Jackson a fair look means cutting into playing time for Darnell McDonald.

“We’ll probably play Conor on Sunday,” Francona said of the series finale against lefty Matt Harrison. “It’s going to be a little bit interesting to figure that out. That’s my answer. I don’t have a perfect answer right now. We certainly want to see Conor play and it’s probably going to cost Mack some at-bats. But we’ll try to figure that out.”

Jackson’s most familiar position is left field but he played third base for the A’s when they came to town in June at Fenway Park.

“I’d probably say left field but that’s probably not going to happen,” Francona said, ironically before Crawford came down with the illness. “He played third base against us earlier in the year.”

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  • Cdhuntington

    WTF. Why the disclaimer on Brady’s 3 super bowls?

  • Kiash90

    It seems as if brady and brees are close to similar in most categories and rodgers is a little different than them and is younger. I chose rodgers

  • Doublebass3591

    Although I’m a Patriots fan love Brady and he’s HOF bond when he’s done, Rodgers is better this year. Even more so over another future HOF great QBs Bress who is the first to break an incredible record. Congrats Drew! 

  • Jjm1488

    who does the math for WEEI. i’m pretty sure 1984 was 27 years ago. could be wrong…

  • Dougchapman

    I voted for Brady based on his ability to adapt year after year to changing personell and that most games fall on his shoulders to win due to the defense the Pats have been saddled with.

  • RobDX

    I voted for Brady because even though he was sacked more than Brees, that is because of the last few weeks, he led the league in least sacks until two weeks ago. But, he gets sacked for less yards, so that is a testament for him ot scramble BETTER than Rodgers and get a few yards out of it or at least get back to teh Line of Scrimmage.

  • H Bouley

    This year the obvious choice is Rodgers. He leads all in things that matter most. Wins, TD passes and fewest interceptions….just as Brady was the obvious choice last year. Brees will have the most yards passing, but seemed too obsessed in that area while chasing Marino’s record. after watching his last 4 games it was obvious, running plays were only a token. Back to back runs were nonexistent. Well  Brees has the record now so maybe we’ll see some Sunday LOL 

  • H Bouley

    Brady could use a quality outside deep threat like the Packers and Saints have. Welker and the TE’s have been incredible. Add a top flight wide out to loosen up the safetys and watch out!!  a 6000 yd season for Brady?? LOL

  • Normdubois

    You are right on about Brees and the fact that running plays were only a token. But don’t expect him to change his ways this coming Sunday. He knows that Brady is only 191 yards from going over his total. Maybe he’ll have a pipe-line to the Pats game as it is being played at the same time.  LOL.        

  • big93mike

    Rogers is clearly having the best season. That is the question. Some are treating it as if they are saying Rogers is the best QB of the three. I think you have to go with Brady. People who are saying it is Brady having the best year are showing their bias. I am a big Pats fan but lets be real.

  • Doublebass3591

    That’s been the case for many, many years. 2007 with a older, not in his prime Randy Moss, and look at what Brady & Moss were able to accomplish. One can only image the possibilities.

  • Ronjb441960

    Pats have been def.  Brady still winning….  he ‘s the best in 2011,12

  • Brndn_ckrsn

    are you serious saints are 8th in rushing and will rush for 2000 plus yards with 4 different backs. shows just how incredible this brees season is…..a Mvp brees is way more valuable than rodgers is to the team that leads the leauge in take aways. when the saints lead in take aways they won the bowl theve been bottom 5 since and are 12-3  packers were 10-6 without the take aways last season  rodgers was actually way more Vauable last season as proven with the bowl vic> packers wont win the bowl this year with a qb who cant play from behind 1 game winning drive 0 fourth quarter comebacks. in the snow strange things can happen they will be behind, brees has lead the saints back more than any qurterback in the leauge the saints not the steelers not the cowboys not the niners packers raiders or dolphins brees makes the saints releavant that is the blueprint to mvp in my book

  • Brndn_ckrsn

    saints run the ball moresuccesfully  than the patriots and greenbay brees completes 70.7 of his attemps if the saints were abusing the passing game wouldnt his percentage be lower than rodgers and brady???

  • Brndn_ckrsn

    august september october rogers mvp november december has to go to brees or brady period

  • Brndn_ckrsn

    greenbay has the most wins not rodgers…. saints have the best 3rd down conversion rate in the history of the leauge brees throws more and completes a higher percentage.. 70.7 higest in the history of the leauge  the award name officially has to change after this season if rodgers wins to most outstanding quarter back this year….. because the most Valuable player brees has changed the culture of of an entire franchise just broke a 27 year old record…. saints rush the ball signifigantly more than the packers and patriots …and way more succesful drew holds 2 of the 3>>>2 of 4 brady changed the culture of the patriots with hall of fame teamates i challenge you to name one specialty player who is a cant miss hall of famer offense or deffens on the saints???????? on brees he stands alone!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Normdubois

     It’s not a question of abusing the passing game. No matter how many passes are
    attempted the percentage will be whatever it is. The running game is being abused because of its minimal use. ‘It is what it is’, more passing plays rather than running plays,
    the more you build on your record for most passing yards.  

  • Comeonman

    First off let me say that Brees is an incredible quarterback; however, lets look at a couple things. An argument was made that Brees has more comebacks this season. Well, that means they were trailing more often. Except against KC, the Packers were never down in the fourth quarter; therefore, Rogers did not have an oppurtunity complete a comeback. Second, since the Saints were trying to come back in a few games, they would be passing the ball more often, unlike Green Bay who has a coach unconcerned with statistics and cares about the win. Green Bay runs the ball, almost to a fault at the end of games in order to run out the clock. The Saints on the otherhand are known for running up the score. Additionally, the Saints will have played 11 games this year in domes while the Packers have only played three inside. I am not saying what Brees has done this year is unimpressive, I am merely saying the fact he broke Marino’s record should not be the only factor.

  • H Bouley

    Yes Greebay has the most wins. The overwhelming reason for the wins is their passing offense led by Rodgers’ 45 tds and just 6 pics. We are talking about THIS year and Graham and Colston are having years worthy of HOF status. Sproles and Thomas combined are averaging 6 yards per carry and could have had HOF status seasons if Brees had let them. Many of Brees throws are easy to complete swing passes hence the high PCT. The Pats dont rhrow many swing passes because their outside receivers are not deep threats allowing safetys to play up close Careerwise Brees stands behind Brady!!!!!

  • H Bouley

    LOL…Brees can rest easy. Brady will likely pass Marino, then assuming the Pats are safely ahead, will take a seat letting Moyer take over.

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