Red Sox

Pre-game notes from the Rogers Centre

By Peter Abraham

August 11, 2010

It’s Centre because we’re in Canada …

* The Laser Show is a go for Pawtucket. Dustin Pedroia had no problem running the bases today. He will play second base on Saturday and DH on Sunday. Get your tickets now.

* Jed Lowrie is out of the lineup because they want to get as many righthanded hitters in there against the lefty tomorrow. Lowrie has yet to start three games in a row since he came back. He could play shortstop tomorrow as Scutaro gets a rest.

* Jarrod Saltalamacchia will catch tomorrow with Victor Martinez playing 1B. The plan is for Mike Lowell to play first base the first two games in Texas then DH on Sunday.

The Sox are a little reticent to play Saltalamacchia at first base. He was there for Pawtucket last night but that was the first time since 2007. But at least it’s an option.

Saltalamacchia seemed like a good guy in the brief time we spoke to him. He’s 6-foot-4, 235 pounds, so if baseball doesn’t work the Pats can use him at outside linebacker. “If we get into one of those fights like the Reds and Cardinals, I’m getting behind him,” cracked Josh Beckett.

* The official version of Kevin Cash’s injury is that he tweaked his hamstring running to first base on Sunday.

* Carlos Delgado will DH for Pawtucket tonight.

* Tampa Bay lost, so the Sox are four games out in the wild card at the moment.