This team has better pitching than the 2004 team.
Also, as crazy as it sounds, David Ortiz is far more fearsome right now than he was this time in 2004 (1.365 OPS vs. 1.008 OPS). He’s getting on base practically every time up, getting a ton of hits and hitting doubles or homers when he gets hits. Manny, Ortiz, Lowell, and Drew is far tougher for pitchers to face in October than Ortiz, Manny, Millar, and Tek.
I agree. Drew’s bat is coming alive. I hope it lives through October. Dice K found his second wind...in yesterday’s game, he threw his hardest in the 7th and 8th inning, clocking in at 95mph+.
The line ups are going to be interesting. Who bats first? Pedroia has stopped drawing walks and Youk has been a very marginal hitter the past 3 months. Both of these guys fancy themselves as home run hitters with the way they try to hit balls in the air. Lugo is an easy out and Crisp reminds me of Willie Mays Hayes from Major League with his tendancy to hit pop ups. I think that Ellsbury needs to bat lead off since he’s better than Crisp at the plate and far more of a guy who makes things happen. His bat is quicker and he can put balls in play the other way. Francona won’t bench Crisp even though Ellsbury is the better option.
It’s interesting to note that key players on this Red Sox team came from the 2003 Florida Marlins. Coincidentally, that team killed the Yankees in the World Series.
You’re welcome.