BOS 8, TOR 2: Wide awake
Change can often be difficult. The Boston Red Sox lineup adapted quite easily.
Month: May 2009
Francona shakes up lineup, drops Ellsbury
Jacoby Ellsbury may have an average hovering around .300, but his plate discipline isn't cutting it. Things change today as Dustin Pedroia assumes the leadoff mantle. I'm sure we'll hear more from Tito.
Lineups after the jump.
TOR 5, BOS 3: Crash landing
Rocco Baldelli hit a two-run homer in the second inning. Then, in the the fifth inning, Baldelli crashed into a wall trying to catch a foul ball. That's exactly how Boston's game went as well. The Red Sox were on pace for a win with a 3-1 cushion over Toronto. Then, Ramon Ramirez hit a wall in the seventh inning.
TOR 6, BOS 3: Long overdue
Casey Janssen had been waiting a long time for this.
New mechanics, reliance on slider hurting Papelbon
Here's one that's taken us by surprise: Jonathan Papelbon looking mortal. His 2.57 ERA is the highest its been as a closer, and superseded only by his 2.67 ERA as a rookie, when he served as a starter and reliever.
His FIP, however, would easily be the highest of his career as it sits at 4.60. He's still striking out well over a batter an inning and is limiting the number of hits he's given up, but it's the free passes that have changed everything.
Poll: How the mighty have fallen…
New Poll Question:
Who will end the year with greater offensive production?
- David Ortiz (currently -11.2 Runs Above Average)
- Julio Lugo (-1.9 Runs Above Average)
- George Kottaras (-3.1 Runs Above Average)
We'll be using Fan Graph's Park Adjusted Batting Runs Above Average based on wOBA as our measuring stick. In season ZIPS projections have Ortiz ending the season at .244, 21 HR, 89 RBI. If he can get there, I think he'll take this race. But is that too optimistic a projection based on what our eyes are telling us today?
As always, new poll is up to the right...vote away and argue it out in the comments.
BOS 3, MIN 1: You’re outtah here!
Home plate umpire Todd Tichenor just skyrocketed up the ESPN umpire ejection fantasy league standings.
5/28: Beckett = Stopper
Josh Beckett pitches in his 100th start as a member of the Red Sox and his first appearance in the Metrodome. Unless these two meet in the playoffs, this will be the last time these teams meet in the dome.