The bats will spring to life
This post is just a taste of what you will find at Sox and Pinstripes (http://www.soxandpinstripes.com), a web site and blog where readers discuss, debate and learn about all things Red Sox, Yankees and baseball. Visit Sox and Pinstripes to read more about the Red Sox from Jeff Louderback's perspective.
Curt Schilling's change-up is deceptive, Tim Wakefield's curveball is sharp and the Sox bullpen looks promising - at least every role leading to the closer. Enough talk about the Sox pitching situation, at least for a day.
How 'bout those silent Sox bats? I can tell by reading some of your posts that the pulse of Red Sox Nation is racing in exasperation about the batting averages of Julio Lugo (.243), David Ortiz (.176), Mike Lowell (.200), Manny Ramirez (.231), Jason Varitek (.105), Coco Crisp (.179) and Dustin Pedroia (.219). Even Wily Mo Pena is struggling (.233). Of the Sox regulars, only J.D. Drew (.409) and Kevin Youkilis (.353) are swinging the bat with authority.
Is this cause for concern? Not one bit. Remember, this is spring training. Players get a few at-bats here and a few at-bats there. They are not in a regular groove. Once the season starts, the Sox will score plenty of runs. Pedroia is a question mark, of course, since he is a rookie. Boston is not a comfortable place for a first-year player to enter the lineup. Pedroia has thrived every step of the way - from college baseball through the minors. Give him a chance. He might start slowly, but he will produce.
About the Sox bench, what do you think about Joe McEwing? The guy has been a valuable role player before - in St. Louis (where he also started) and with the Mets. He's hitting .333 this spring, and he is a versatile player who can fill the same infield spots as Alex Cora. I think Cora is a valuable player as well. He accepts his role, he can play small ball (lay down bunts), and he is defensively sound. McEwing has the same traits. Hopefully, McEwing would accept a role with Pawtucket so he is available if the Sox need him.
Congrats Jeff on being on the front page of mlb blogs!
Ps- I just wrote a blog entry on the Red Sox. Check it out.
Chris
http://ultimatebaseballcollector.mlblogs.com
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I'd like to see McEwing with Pawtucket as well. If we didn't already have Cora, and if I weren't such a huge fan of his, I'd definitely want McEwing to stick around. But I think pretty highly of Cora; if I were in his situation I would get way too frustrated with the utility role. He always seems happy and willing to do whatever the team asks of him. That's the definition of class, not some pinstripes and a crew cut ;) hehe
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