The Good and the Bad - Jenn

Since Dad gave you a good synopsis of the game yesterday, I'm going to focus on some of the high points. And unfortunately a couple low points.

First the bad news. The biggest of which is David Ortiz. In his 36 times to the plate this season, Papi only has three hits. Three. That's Manny territory. We're used to seeing Manny be Manny and not make any real headway 'til late April and even early May. That's not the case this season. For some reason there's a new attitude from our left fielder and he's hitting. It's like Papi and Manny switched places. And Papi's frustrated. You can see it on his face. The man who usually has a smile as big as his frame has been a grouch. And it's understandable. After all every time he comes to hit, he either strikes out, grounds into that damn shift or walks. And thank God for the walks. At least those have kept his OBP above .200. But seeing Papi's batting average yesterday at a dismal .083 is frightening. Not just for the Fenway faithful, but for Papi himself. Yesterday each and every Sox batter that came to the plate got a hit. And Ortiz? He was hitless. I don't think I've ever seen a game when every member of the team has gotten on base and Ortiz hasn't. It's a little disconcerting. Now if this were Manny we'd all be saying, "be patient, it's still early in the season" And it is. But this is new territory - for us and for Papi. I'm sure he'll come out of this slump, the question is when. I hope, as I'm sure he does, it's sooner rather than later. Maybe seeing the evil team in pinstripes will get his bat up to snuff.

Then there's the bullpen. They have not been at their best. And yesterday when we were ahead 8-3 and there was no way we couldn't win, Tavarez came in. Not the starter of the '07 season, the reliever of '06. The man who couldn't strike anyone out. I was mortified as I watched our lead dwindle from the safety of five runs to just two. These are the times I, like most Sox fans I know, are yelling at the TV screen. And why Okajima was pulled in favor of Tavarez, no one except Francona knows. Thankfully he stopped the bleeding by getting that double play, but if the Tavarez of '08 is returning to the Tavarez of '06, I may need to fast forward through his innings.

Now the good news. Yes, it's unfortunate that this early in the season Lowell is out. But Youkilis, as we've seen in the past, is more than capable at 3rd and the new guy in Sean Casey was a great trade in the off season. This guy can hit! He may have only gotten two hits in his five at bats yesterday but with a double and three RBI's he can fill in for Youk any time. While it's true that there may have been some pent up anger fueling his bat because he was facing the team that let him go, he's been a great addition to this team. I'm sure when it comes to interleague play he'll be a nice substitute for the Papi, Youk, Lowell triangle.

Then there's Kevin Cash, aka Mirabelli's replacement. So far, this kid is doing a fine job as Wakefield's catcher. Yes, there were a couple miscues yesterday in his overthrow to 2nd and the passed ball, but he's holding his own. And he's hitting. With an average of .286, it's nice to see a catcher that can handle Wakefield's knuckler and get a hit or two.

Clay Buchholz takes the mound today for his first start against the evil empire. With Buchholz pitching, Manny and Casey hitting, this may be our chance to take an early lead in the standings. And as I said earlier, maybe seeing our nemesis is all the incentive Papi needs to wake up his bat. Can't wait 'til 4 o'clock.