Last night's win was by far the biggest of the season. Is this the signature win we were looking for? Down 4-2 entering the ninth. Down 4-3 with Clay Buchholz pinch running for Jason Varitek, Dustin Pedroia doubles and Buchholz gets thrown out at the plate. Victor Martinez follows with a huge two run double. Jason Bay adds an rbi single and JD Drew tacks on a two run homer.
A loss last night would have hurt. The team needs to win games started by Josh Beckett and Jon Lester. The last three starters have been inconsistent. Beating Texas last night is huge for three reasons. #1 They are the closest competition in the wild card chase. #2 Texas was 5-1 versus the Sox this year. #3 Texas' Kevin Millwood is their workhorse and his stymied the Sox this year.
Hopefully not lost in this win is the fact that David Ortiz finally channelled his 2003/2004/2005/2006/2007 self by drilling a clutch, game tying, two run homer in the sixth against lefty specialist Eddie Guardado. He also added a double in three official at bats. There has been much discussion lately saying that it was time for Ortiz to lose some of his at bats to Mike Lowell and Casey Kotchman. Granted he has struggled over the past three weeks, but Ortiz gets a reprieve after last night's performance.
John Smoltz has declined the club's demotion to the minor leagues. The Sox have until Sunday to trade him or release him. Believe it or not, the Cardinals have shown interest.
Chris Woodward -- we hardly knew you. How can an utility infielder not get a sacrifice bunt down?
Hello Alex Gonzalez. Hopefully, he is not too far removed from the defensive whiz of the 2006 season. I like the trade because the likelihood of me having to watch a ground ball hit towards Nick Green in the ninth inning has diminished considerably.
This new acquisition makes one wonder, what is the team's best starting line up?
Ellsbury CF
Pedroia 2B
Martinez 1B
Youkilis 3B
Drew RF
Bay LF
Ortiz DH
Varitek C
Gonzalez SS
or
Ellsbury CF
Pedroia 2B
Martinez C
Youkilis 1B
Bay LF
Drew RF
Lowell 3B
Ortiz DH
Gonzalez SS
or
Ellsbury CF
Pedroia 2B
Martinez C
Youkilis 3B
Drew RF
Bay LF
Lowell DH
Kotchman 1B
Gonzalez SS
I'm assuming Gonzalez is better than Green and Lowrie. Drew/Bay are interchangeable in the 5th and 6th spots. Should Martinez catch over Varitek. Should Lowell and Ortiz platoon at dh? Can the line up be successful with Varitek and Gonzalez at the bottom of the order?
My guess is that Francona is going to mix and match the line up for the remainder of the regular season. The question is, is the team better off without having a standard line up?
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2 comments:
As much as it pains me to say this I think it's time to start limiting Ortiz's starts. The way Lowell has been swinging the bat you need him in the lineup on a consistent basis. More so at DH than at 3rd due to his lack of range. So I'm leaning toward your 3rd choice for a starting lineup. Last night's performance notwithstanding, Ortiz is a wasted AB right now & with the Sox struggling for a playoff spot they can't afford to have him in the lineup on reputation alone.
Papi == If this is how you feel, you will have to change your name. Lowell has swung it well of late even against righties. Ortiz looked like a mess until the 6th and ninth innings last night.
At the very least they should platoon at DH depending on the pitching match up (lefty/righty).
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