Farrell stacks lineup with lefties vs. Morrow
TORONTO -- The Red Sox stacked their lineup with left-handed bats for Saturday's contest against Blue Jays righty Brandon Morrow.
That meant Mike Napoli, who entered the contest with a team-leading .307 average and .402 on-base percentage, as well as Xander Bogaerts and Jonny Gomes were given the day off.
"At least in the last year-plus, lefties have taken some better swings against [Morrow]," manager John Farrell said.
Entering Saturday, lefties have hit .283/.353/.543 against Morrow this season, which is significantly better than the .200/.273/.333 mark right-handers have compiled. In 2012, it was much of the same, as lefties had an OPS .300 points higher than righties vs. the hard-throwing Morrow.
Mike Carp received the start at first base, Jonathan Herrera was penciled in as the shortstop and Grady Sizemore was in left field.