Fansided

Red Sox manager John Farrell won’t “turn away” from Stephen Drew

By Andrew Melnick

Aug 23, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Mark Ellis (14) throws out Boston Red Sox shortstop Stephen Drew (7) in a double play in the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Mark Ellis (14) throws out Boston Red Sox shortstop Stephen Drew (7) in a double play in the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 23, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Mark Ellis (14) throws out Boston Red Sox shortstop Stephen Drew (7) in a double play in the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 23, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Mark Ellis (14) throws out Boston Red Sox shortstop Stephen Drew (7) in a double play in the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

Although the Boston Red Sox are facing a left handed pitcher in the Baltimore Orioles’ Wei-Yin Chen Tuesday night, manager John Farrell has left handed shortstop Stephen Drew in the lineup.

Many pundits believed the Red Sox would turn to phenom prospect Xander Bogaerts, a right handed shortstop ranked as the third best prospect in all of baseball by ESPN’s Keith Law, against lefties, but Farrell continues to stick with Drew.

“I’m not going to turn away from Stephen Drew,” Farrell told Joe McDonald of ESPN Boston. “He’s been a very good player for us. Probably game 7 after he came back from the DL until now, he’s been one of our most consistent hitters. He’s been a very good shortstop defensively for us, and I just don’t want to let the splits of a given starter determine, and cause to turn away from a guy who has been very good for us.”

Drew has been a solid pickup for the Red Sox, especially as of late (he’s hitting .307 in his last 27 games). On the season batting .247 with an OBP of .327,  and a slugging percentage of .428 with 10 home runs and 52 RBI. However, he’s batting just .198 against lefties this season.

Bogaerts, who has three hits, including a double, in his first nine major league at bats, isn’t upset by the news.

“Oh no, definitely not. Like I said before, these guys played 130 games without me so I’m just here to contribute,” Bogaerts said. “I don’t have to help anybody, I’m just here to contribute and do the best I can to hopefully win some games when I’m in there.”

The Red Sox will counter Chen (7-6, 3.19 ERA) with left hander Felix Doubront (9-6, 3.79 ERA). First pitch from Fenway Park is scheduled for 7:10 pm EST.

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