Who Should be Tonights Catcher, Ryan Lavarnway or Jarrod Saltalamacchia?

What a difference 24 hours makes.  Yesterday at this time all of us were nervous about Ryan Lavarnway behind the plate in the most crucial game of the year.  All Lavarnway did was crush two home runs, throw a runner out trying to steal third and made an incredible play in the ninth inning on a soft roller in front of the plate for the second out of the inning.  If Nick Markakis doesn’t make that incredible sliding catch with the bases loaded, chance are Lavarnway would have had 7 RBI’s last night.  Fast forward to today, in now the most crucial game of the year, and who should catch?  Terry Francona has said, “if Salty is healthy, then he will start.”  What?  Did I just hear that right?  With the exception of Ellsbury and Scutaro, this offense has been anemic.  I still can’t believe that Saltalmacchia was at the plate the other night with the bases loaded and one out.  With Josh Reddick, Darnell McDonald and Lavarnway sitting on the bench to pinch hit for the slumping Saltalmacchia.  Yes, Lavarnway had to visit the mound often last night to get on the same page with the pitcher, but that was to be expected. 

Maybe I am being bias and letting one game influence me.  But, from what I saw last night, Lavarnway looked cool as a cucumber behind the plate.  He called a good game, showed off a cannon of an arm to cut down the speedy Adam Jones at third and showed good power.  Am I wrong?  Should you put the more experienced catcher behind the plate tonight or take your chances on the rookie again?

Let your voice be heard and vote now.

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