Due to roster rules, Mike Lowell has been ruled out for the ALCS as a result of his being replaced on the ALDS roster by Gil Velazquez earlier this week. Lowell was 0-8 with three strikeouts and a walk in Games 1 and 3 of the ALDS.

It's an unfortunate circumstance for last years World Series MVP, but Lowell's been largely ineffective as of late due to his bum hip, which apparently will require rather extensive surgery in the offseason. The Sox lose a lot going from a healthy Lowell at third to either 1) Youk at third and Kotsay at first or 2) Lowrie at third and Cora at short, but he really hasn't been healthy for most - if not all - of the season. I still like the Sox' chances in the Series as my six game Sox victory projection factored in a minimally effective Lowell at third, but I think it might go to seven games now. If you can pencil in Lester for two wins, which it appears you can, the rest should fall into line rather easily.