Lineup tonight?

Scott Rolen's return to the Blue Jays lineup makes this team a better team but until the lineup starts hitting, they will struggle to get wins.  The lineup shakeup by John Gibbons on Sunday could be considered a success as the team walked away with a victory but it is not like the team really tore the cover off the ball. 

Gibbons has said he will bat David Eckstein in the second spot in the order for the forseeable future leaving Alex Rios to bat in the leadoff spot.  I like moving Eckstein out of the leadoff spot as I think he'll be more effective in the two spot given he doesn't strike out a lot and can hit to all fields.  I can't say I'm a fan of Rios in the leadoff spot as he is probably the team's most consistent hitter and should be in a spot to drive in runs.  Unfortunately, the Blue Jays do not possess a typical lead-off hitter so Rios is the next best thing. 

The Blue Jays face Jon Lester in tonight's opener in Fenway.  With Lester being a leftie, the chance of Gibbons using the same lineup as Sunday is low.  But what will he do? Not sure but here would be my lineup for tonight:

1. Stewart, DH

2. Eckstein, SS

3.  Rios, RF

4. Wells, CF

5. Rolen, 3B

6. Hill, 2B

7. Barajas, 1B

8. Lind, LF

9. Zaun, C

Now the team is exposing itself to a potential problem if Zaun gets hurt as Barajas is at first and no other catcher is on the bench.  However, a simple switch to Barajas at catcher and Overbay can come in for Zaun.  This lineup also gives the team two solid left-handed bats on the bench (Stairs, Overbay) if Boston brings in a right hander from the bullpen after Lester is done for the night.

However, my best guess for tonight's lineup is as follows:

1. Rios, RF

2. Eckstein, SS

3. Rolen, 3B

4. Wells, CF

5. Barajas, C

6. Hill, 2B

7. Overbay, 1B

8. Stewart, DH

9. Lind, LF

We'll see if I'm even close.  This will be a tough series given the Jays swept the Sox at the Rogers Centre earlier in the month.  The Sox will be looking to return the favour and end their losing streak after getting swept in Tampa.

7:00 p.m: Turns out I was pretty close on the lineup for tonight.  Zaun is catching instead of Barajas and batting ninth.  So if you took Barajas out of the fifth spot in the lineup above, move everyone below him up a spot and insert Zaun in the ninth spot, you have tonight's lineup.  

1. Rios LF

2. Eckstein, SS

3. Rolen, 3B

4. Wells, CF

5. Hill, 2B

6. Overbay, 1B

7. Stewart, DH

8. Lind, LF

9. Zaun, C