BOSTON -- Jason Bay, who never sniffed the playoffs in his time with the Pirates, will be in the spotlight even more now that he’ll be viewed on a national stage as a “replacement” for Manny Ramirez.

“I want to keep the same routine,” said Bay. “The last few years I’ve been home at this point, so it’s nice to finally get out there and be part of the postseason. At the same time, I want to keep it as normal as possible.”

Of all the Red Sox, it’s unlikely anyone is happier to be in the playoffs than Bay.

“It’s a blast,” he said. “It’s so nice, not being at home, watching on TV, like I have been the past four years.”

The National League Rookie of the Year for the Pirates in 2004 — the first Pittsburgh player ever to win that award — when he hit .282, with 26 homers and 82 RBI, in 120 games after being called up from Triple-A Nashville, Bay came to Boston in the three-way, trading-deadline deal that sent Ramirez to the Dodgers and Craig Hansen and Brandon Moss to the Pirates.

In 49 games for the Sox, he’s handled the pressure of taking over for Ramirez in left field, batting .293, with 9 homers and 37 RBI.

“Jason Bay is a really good player,” said Lowell. “He’s been under the radar, playing in a small market. But he’s the kind of guy who can carry a team.”

“This is a winning atmosphere here,” Bay said. “Everyone likes to win.”

jdonalds@projo.com