Farrell, Lackey comment on A-Rod playing

The Guru
Contributing Writer

The Red Sox return to Fenway Park Friday night to face old rivals the New York Yankees. The Sox are 6-3 against the Yankees this season, but they have yet to face them with Alex Rodriguez in the lineup.

A-Rod was among the 13 players suspended for violating Major League Baseball's drug policy. While the other's accepted their 50-game suspensions, Rodriguez has defiantly appealed his 211-gamer.  The appeal may not be heard until November.

CBS News also reported today that Rodriquez's inner circle in February obtained and leaked documents that implicated Milwaukee Brewers slugger Ryan Braun as well as his own Yankees teammate, catcher Francisco Cervelli.

The drama continues to follow A-Rat and it will follow him right into Fenway Park.

It's Sox and Yanks for the next three days and A-Fraud gets to play. These games may have real playoff implications for the Red Sox. New York currently trails Boston by 8 1/2 games in the AL East.

Many fans have questioned the fairness of A-Roid being able to continue playing through the appeal, especially since the suspension was for PED use. Red Sox manager John Farrell weighed in on the topic Thursday in Toronto,
"[Rodriguez] has every right to appeal it, which he is. We know he's going to be in the lineup, and we'll prepare accordingly. The process he's going through is well within his rights. It's in place for a reason, and you can argue that. He being on the field is out of our hands. Until completely proven guilty, this is what we're getting."

Red Sox starting pitcher John Lackey told Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe,
"I’ve got a problem with it. You bet I do. How is he still playing? He obviously did something and he’s playing. I’m not sure that’s right. It’s pretty evident he’s been doing stuff for a lot of years I’ve been facing him."

This will be A-Fraud's first appearance at Fenway Park this season and one would think the Fenway Faithful will give him a very "warm" welcome.


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