> By any statistical measure, Daniel Nava should be drawing the start in left field for the Red Sox in Game 3 of the ALCS Tuesday afternoon. The switch-hitting Nava has a slash line of .322/.411/.484/.894 against right-handed pitchers. He has faced Game 3 starter Justin Verlander just once, but hit a three-run double and drew a walk in four plate appearances. That was in Fenway Park on May 29, 2012.
> The right-handed hitting Gomes, meanwhile, has a slash line of .258/.341/.404/.745 vs. right-handed pitchers. He has 13 plate appearances in his career against Verlander. He is 0 for 9 with 3 walks and a sacrifice fly.
Decisions like this make me nervous. The *right* decision, without looking at outcomes, is to play Nava. Of course, everyone will evaluate Farrell’s decision based on how well Gomes plays tonight.