Ortiz Sent To The Bench In Just Second Week

One week ago, Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona told the sportsbook media that he had not even thought about sitting designated hitter David Ortiz so early on in the season. Less than one week later, Francona has not only given consideration to the move, he has already made it. Ortiz will move to the bench for Thursday’s game against the Minnesota Twins, who will send left-hander Francisco Liriano to the mound. Mike Lowell will step in to take Ortiz’s spot, after appearing in just one game so far this early season.

The Red Sox have struggled to a .500 record through eight games, and while hitting was the biggest concern heading in to the 2010 season, the line up has not been awful with the exception of Ortiz. Boston has scored the eighth most runs in the American League heading in to Thursday night’s action. With one of baseball’s deepest starting rotations, the Red Sox will be looking for a boost in their hitting order. Multiplied with last season’s early struggled, Ortiz has been put under the microscope by the MLB odds betting media attention, and this season Francona hasn’t hesitated to make a move.

Francona told the media that the decision to play Lowell was made without regard to Ortiz’s struggles at the plate, as the Red Sox manager noted that he is trying to keep his MLB betting line bench players sharp. Lowell’s only other start came last Saturday against the Kansas City Royals when he replaced Adrian Beltre at third base.

Ortiz had both a double and a walk in his last start on Wednesday, but also struck out twice to extend his streak to five games with at least two strikeouts. Ortiz leads the majors in strikeouts after eight games, and is batting just .154 with two runs batted in while failing to connect on a home run shot so far. Batting wasn’t an issue for the team in their 6-3 sports betting win over Minnesota, in which they recorded 10 hits.

The Red Sox will already be without another regular in the line up on Thursday, as outfielder Jacoby Ellisbury is scheduled to miss time with bruised ribs. The 26-year old was injured when he collided with third basemen Adrian Beltre on Sunday in Kansas City, and since he was experiencing soreness and trouble breathing in the following days, Francona made the decision to play it safe this early on in the season. Jeremy Hermida played in his fifth game of the season on Wednesday against the Twins, and exceeded expectations by hitting a three-run double to help the Red Sox to victory.

Ellisbury could return as soon as Saturday, but with Boston getting solid production from its bench players, Francona will not feel threatened to rush his starters back in to the line up.