Reaping The Rewards!
The Boston bats were dead, lifeless, MIA, deader than a bug nailing a windshield at 75 mph! Whatever you want to call it, the Boston Red Sox were looking like the “Bad News Bears” at the plate, they weren’t playing ball the way the fans or the team expects it to be played. For a few days skipper Terry Francona knew something needed to change. The only problem was, what was it? Then it came to him, maybe a change in the batting order! So that’s when he decided to a move, a major shakeup if you want to call it. Francona was hoping it would rejuvenate his team, breathe some new life into them. Boy oh boy, did it ever fix the problem as the Boston bats have been hot, very hot! With David Ortiz still pondering “Where in the world his swing went” the Sox desperately needed help on the offensive side. What other choice did Francona have?
Since the change the Red Sox have been reaping the rewards, as they’ve reeled off three wins in a row. They have new life in them and for the moment things are going nicely. Plus, it helps since they moved back into first place in the AL East, tied with the Yankees! It doesn’t matter that it’s only a share of first, for Boston’s fans we’re just happy to see our boys back on top. Now for a quick look at the changes and the effect they’ve made on the Sox!
Boston’s line-up before the changes:
1. Jacoby Ellsbury – 2. Dustin Pedroia – 3. J.D. Drew – 4. Kevin Youkilis – 5. Jason Bay – 6. David Ortiz – 7. Mike Lowell – 8. Jason Varitek/George Kottaras – 9. Nick Green/Julio Lugo
They’re struggling as they have lost 2 of 3 to the Twins and the Blue Jays, fallen from first place and looked like they were fading fast. For an offense that has the fire power in it’s line-up, they sure weren’t playing or looking like they were contenders. As they managed only 9 runs on 21 hits during those 3 games. Red Sox Nation flicks the case cover off the panic button, starts dusting it off, and ponders if they need to hit it.
Boston’s line-up after the change:
1. Pedroia – 2. Drew – 3. Youkilis – 4. Bay – 5. Lowell – 6. Ortiz – Varitek/Kottaras – 8. Ellsbury – 9. Green/Lugo
The offense is back and looking great. As they’re 3-0, after snagging the final game from the Jays, and walking away with victories vs the Tigers, in the first two games of their series in Detroit. The once sputtering offense is hitting the ball again, as they’ve scored 23 runs on 33 hits since the moves were implemented.
Plus the return of Mark Kotsay (thank god) to the club will only make them stronger. Kotsay who’s been down in the minors since the season started has been rehabbing from surgery and a calf injury.