Game Three pregame

October 27, 2007 - 5:39 PM

DENVER -- The Colorado Rockies have shuffled their deck for tonight's game in Coors Field and they really have no choice. They're down, 2-0, in the World Series to the Boston Red Sox and scored just two runs while batting just .180 in Fenway Park.

So leadoff man Willy Taveras, in a 3-for-25 slump that included 0 for 7 in this series, has been benched and Cory Sullivan is in center field. Kaz Matsui is the new leadoff hitter and Troy Tulowitzki is back in the No. 2 hole, up from the No. 7 slot where he has struggled in the postseason.

As Manager Terry Francona announced Friday, David Ortiz is at first base and Kevin Youkilis is out with no designated hitter. Jacoby Ellsbury is the leadoff hitter and Dustin Pedroia is down from No. 1 to No. 2.

Here's tonight's starting lineups:

Boston Colorado

Jacoby Ellsbury, cf Kaz Matsui, 2b

Dustin Pedroia, 2b Troy Tulowitzki, ss

David Ortiz, 1b Matt Holliday, lf

Manny Ramirez, lf Todd Helton, 1b

Mike Lowell, 3b Garrett Atkins, 3b

J.D. Drew, rf Brad Hawpe, rf

Jason Varitek, c Yorvit Torrealba, c

Julio Lugo, ss Cory Sullivan, cf

Daisuke Matsuzaka, p Josh Fogg, p

---Mike Harrington

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About Inside Pitch

Mike Harrington

Mike Harrington, a Canisius College graduate who began his career as a News reporter in 1987, has covered the Buffalo Bisons since 1992 and Major League Baseball since 1995. A member of the Baseball Writers Association of America, Harrington has reported on 15 World Series -- including every pitch of the Fall Classic this century -- and all three of the Bisons' championship runs in their modern era. He is a connoisseur of the famous Stadium Mustard at Cleveland's Progressive Field.

@BNHarrington | mharrington@buffnews.com

Amy Moritz

Amy Moritz, a native of Lockport, has covered the Bisons for The Buffalo News since 2002. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism/mass communication from St. Bonaventure University and a master’s degree in humanities from the University at Buffalo. An endurance athlete, she has completed several triathlons, half marathons and marathons.

@TBN_Moritz | amoritz@buffnews.com

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