American League Fantasy Notes:  A.L. East

Posted by Tom Massimo Categories: Fantasy, MLB, News

BOSTON RED SOX

Mike Lowell has just three extra-base hits in the month of August.  He is still batting a solid .289, thanks to a strong 90% contact rate and .79 batting eye.  In his disastrous 2005 season, when had just 8 home runs, his G/F ratio remained low at .66 and in-line with previous seasons.  This year it has risen to a still low .88.  But with 15 home runs in 460 AB this season, it is starting to look like last season’s complete power outage was not a fluke, but rather the beginning of a decline in his power.

Alex Gonzalez is out until early September with a strained oblique muscle.  Alex Cora and Dustin Pedroia should share time at shortstop until Gonzalez returns.  Cora is completely devoid of power.  His high contact rate and good batting eye could get him on base enough to generate a few steals, but it is probably not worth the trouble.  Pedroia’s defense is better suited for second base and with Mark Loretta in and out of the line-up he could pick up some starts there.  As a hitter, he makes excellent contact and has a very discerning batting eye.  He does not have much power and with 4 caught steals in 5 tries in Triple-A, don’t count on any stolen bases either.

Jon Lester was scratched from his scheduled start today because of a sore back.  Kason Gabbard will step in for him against Oakland.  He is not recommended.

Manager, Terry Francona does not seem pleased that Manny Ramirez has missed 3 of the last 4 games with a sore knee.  In any event, he should be safe to use this week.

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