MIKE LOWELL SHOULD NOT BE PLAYING

I hate saying it, because he's been such a warrior for this team, but Mike Lowell isn't contributing in the way we need him to. He's 0 for 8 in the series, and has no range at third base. It's only by the grace of questionable managing that Mike Scioscia hasn't had Erick Aybar and Chone Figgins bunt up the 3rd base line every at-bat.

Sean Casey and Mark Kotsay don't have great histories with John Lackey. Casey is 0 for 6 in his career off him, Kotsay is 9 for 34 (.265), but Lowell is only 3 for 19 (.158) off Lackey.

The reason the Sox lost last night was not Mike Lowell. But he didn't do much to help the team win. And it's not his fault. He's doing all that he can do. In the field especially, the Sox need to make a change. Another 0 for 4 night, and a slow third baseman having trouble throwing accurately may cost them Game 4.