Josh Reddick Earning Right to Play Every Day, While Shortstop Trio Gives Terry Francona Plenty of Options

by NESN Staff on Mon, Aug 8, 2011 at 7:00PM

Josh Reddick's 10th-inning heroics against the Yankees on Sunday night are only a sample of how good the young outfielder's been this season.

Reddick entered Monday's game in Minnesota hitting .338 with five home runs and 23 RBIs in 47 games. While manager Terry Francona might still spread playing time around when it comes to right field, especially when J.D. Drew returns, the 24-year-old is making it difficult for his manager to take him out of the lineup.

Francona also faces some difficult decisions when it comes to who his starting shortstop is. With Jed Lowrie returning to the lineup on Monday, and Marco Scutaro and Mike Aviles also in the fold, the Sox skipper will be faced with the difficult task of deciding who to go with on a nightly basis.

In the end, though, it could prove to be a luxury, as it should allow for more starters to get some needed rest down the stretch.

To hear what NESN's Tom Caron and Dennis Eckersley think Francona will do with the Sox lineup going forward, check out the video above.