Health, pitching top Red Sox playoff concerns

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BOSTON -- Four games left, but more than a few questions and issues remain for the Boston Red Sox before the playoffs begin. Among them: -- HEALTH AND HAPPINESS Wednesday night, outfielder J.D. Drew returned to the lineup for the first time in more than a month. After a seemingly endless stretch of false starts and dashed expectations, Drew's herniated disk finally held up for a start. He got two at-bats -- (a fielder's choice in the first and single) before coming out for a pinch runner. Given the delicate condition of his lower back, Drew's availability is very likely to be a question for as long as the Sox continue playing in October. Similarly, third baseman Mike Lowell's immediate future is uncertain. The tentative plan calls for Lowell (right hip) to get some at-bats this weekend, as a preparatory course for the postseason. "It's not necessary," said manager Terry Francona of the tune-up , "but if he has ability to get some at-bats, it can help. (It would help) if he knows he can go out and do it." -- ROTATION ROULETTE Tellingly, the notes issued by the team do not offer probable pitchers beyond tonight. That's because Boston could move things around depending on whether the team remains in contention for the division title. Should the Red Sox still have an opportunity to finish first in the A.L. East -- and avoid both the Angels and two potential cross-country plane trips -- they'll continue to treat the games as significant. On the other hand, should Tampa Bay win the A.L. East, Boston will take the opportunity to both restrict their starters' workloads and rearrange the rotation for maximum postseason effect. Josh Beckett, the presumptive starter for Game 1 of the Divisional Series, won't go more than a few innings Saturday unless the game has some meaning for the Sox. And if its rains, as forecast, and the mound is slippery, Beckett might not pitch at all.-- CHOOSING A FOURTH STARTER, IF NECESSARYIf the Red Sox and Angels meet in the ALDS, the Angels, by virtue of having the American League's best record, will have the luxury of determining whether the five-game series stretches across eight days or seven. If the series is compressed into seven games, the Red Sox will have to determine who would pitch a Game Four --- Paul Byrd or Tim Wakefield. Frankly, neither starter is on much of a roll. Wakefield has been shelled in two of his last four starts and Byrd is winless over his last three outings. If it matters, Wakefield has this season pitched to a 3.28 ERA at Fenway Park -- where Game Four would take place --- but has a 5.14 ERA on the road. Wakefield made one start against the Angels and gave up four runs in seven innings, while Byrd, as a member of the Indians, defeated Los Angeles in his only appearances against them, limiting them to a single run over 5 1/3 innings. Decision, decisions.-- REST AND RELAXATION In Wednesday night's win over Cleveland, Francona sat left fielder Jason Bay and shortstop Jed Lowrie. Soon, time off will come for infielder Kevin Youkilis and second baseman Dustin Pedroia. Pedroia has missed three games this season while Youkilis had missed 16 games, mostly to various short-term nagging injuries. Jason Varitek, too, could use some additional rest, though typically, the catcher and team captain rejects offers of extended time off. Still, thanks to the luxury of expanded rosters, the Sox have no fewer than three other receivers -- Kevin Cash, David Ross and George Kottaras -- to provide relief behind the plate.-- ROSTER MAKEUP The series schedule will again play a factor. If the Red Sox get the eight-day series and have to use just their top three starters, they might be able to have just 10 pitchers for the ALDS, since both Wakefield and Byrd will be utilized as long relievers. The 10 pitchers would give the Sox 15 position players, and Boston could use them, too, especially with Lowell and Drew as physical question marks. If a player is lost to injury in the middle of a series, he can't be replaced until the next round. Fifteen position players would also allow the option of carrying three catchers, giving them the option of pinch-hitting or pinch-running for Varitek or Cash late in games. In a seven-day series, the Red Sox would probably go with 11 pitchers (and a 7-man bullpen) and 14 position players. That would leave no room for a third catcher or an extra right-handed bat off the bench ( Jeff Bailey).(Contact Sean McAdam at smcadam@projo.com)(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)