Author: tito crafts
A batting title in store for Pedroia?
In his first two seasons in the league, Pedroia has batted .317 and .326. It seems likely that Dustin can sustain these type of numbers because he has such a high contact rate, and plays in a park that aids in his production. There are several legit candidates to compete with. And the "batting title" has kind of lost its luster to an extent in today's On base percentage-world.
Drew about to get hot.
When Drew was posed the question on whether or not he was going to bust out: "Hopefully," Drew said. "I feel like I've had some really good swings. I'm not necessarily getting the results. When I get my pitch, have to do something with it."
Is Jason Bay really as great a base-runner as his 2009 numbers indicate?
Now, I have to admit, it is very difficult to pick up on one's base-running skills from simply watching the games. When a ball is put in play and it looks to be driven deep into the gap, I am thinking about the ball, and watching it gloriously sail into the space between the outfielders. I am not watching the players round the bases. At least not that often.
We love you Ortiz. But what exactly does this mean?
"The fans have been the fans. There have been a few cats trying to start some B.S., but they're fine. No problems," Ortiz said. "They want to see you do the things you do, but you can't just look at the numbers. Don't just look at the numbers -- analyze the game."
The contract year: Jason Bay version.
I will just come out and say it. Jason Bay is playing well, really well. And Jason Bay is in his contract year.
Now, I'm not suggesting that is why Bay is playing so well. And I do not think that Bay will kill the ball like this, all season long.
Actually the largest reason why Bay seems to be excelling is because pitchers just keep grooving pitches right into his "Hot Zone(s)."
Justin Masterson is a reliever.
Justin Masterson is dominant against right-handed hitters. But lefties reach base well over the league-average. Meaning that Masterson will have trouble until he can establish an "out-pitch" to retire them. Or develop his command more so, which is a possibility. Because currently, Masterson still catches too much of the inner half of the plate, at least against left-handers. And 2009 hasn't been any different either. A relatively small sample, but Masterson's .794 OPS against lefties just isn't going to cut it.
Round two: Red Sox/Yankees.
Starting tonight, the Red Sox face-off with the Yankees, as you may have heard. And the Bronx Bombers happen to have drawn our top two starters.
Remember when Josh Beckett was great?
And I know that "game-calling" skills may be overrated. But in the case of Beckett, I prefer Varitek to be behind the plate, rather than Kottaras. No disrespect to Georgie boy, but I like when the calm, collective, intelligent mind of Tek is calling the shots while Beckett is on the hill. Could be just a personal preference I guess. But we will all agree, I'm sure, that nobody knows Beckett like Tek does.
On Base Percentage is good!
The Red Sox lead the league in OBP at .370. Granted, Fenway is beneficial to hitters, but this team would get on base a lot wherever they played. Maybe not this much, but a lot, comparatively. The most asked question for the offense coming in was, "Where is the power going to come from?"