7 Stephen Drew, SS

Red Sox shortstop Stephen Drew is not in the starting lineup Friday against  the Orioles.

Drew will sit against right-handed Chris Tillman. Drew is hitless in his last three games. He'll be replaced by Jose Iglesias, who will hit seventh. Drew is hitting .218/.310/.378 in 188 at-bats this year. 

Red Sox shortstop Stephen Drew probably stands to lose a start or two per week to Jose Iglesias (until Iglesias inevitably cools off). But that doesn't mean Drew should be benched in most leagues. In eight June games, Drew is hitting .345 with a 1.042 OPS, including two home runs and three doubles. 

Overall, Drew's season looks a bit disappointing -- a .234 average and .739 OPS -- but Drew has hit double-digit home runs four times in his career, coming in the only four seasons in which he's had 500 or more at-bats. And his .264 career average suggests bigger things (albeit, probably not amazing things) are on the horizon. 

Owned in 40 percent of leagues, Drew's hot streak and eventual rise in stats -- along with eligibility at a shallow position --  should bring him to a number far better in the next few weeks. 

Red Sox shortstop Stephen Drew was right back in the lineup Saturday against the Angels. Drew sat Thursday and had been dealing with some soreness in late May. He's good to go now, however. 

Drew has gone 7 for 17 (.412) in June thus far with two homers and three RBI. He's batting .233 overall on the year. 

Red Sox shortstop Stephen Drew is not in the starting lineup Thursday. 

Drew had been dealing with some soreness in late May, but didn't miss any time, and started nearly every game. His absence Thursday should be considered a routine day off. He'll be replaced by Jose Iglesias. 

Drew is hitting .234/.333/.418 in 158 at-bats this year.