Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
October 13, 2007
Best for Last

David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez are putting on an awe inspiring performance in the post season. The two combined to reach base ten times in ten plate appearances last night:

"I've never seen anything like it," said Sox third baseman Mike Lowell, who knocked in three runs with a two-run double and sacrifice fly. "They're unbelievable. They're aggressive, they're patient, they're picking their spots, and it doesn't seem like it's just one thing. It's great for me, because they're always on base."

Ortiz has reached base 16 times (7 hits, 8 walks, 1 hit by pitch) in 18 plate appearances in four postseason games. He's averaging four times on base per game. Ramírez has been on base 13 times (5 hits, 8 walks) in 18 appearances.

"Video games, you can program to do whatever you want," said injured reliever Brendan Donnelly, whose official capacity is professional observer/cheerleader. "These guys are doing it in real life.

"But give a lot of credit to Mike Lowell. Whether these guys are getting on base via a hit or a walk, you've still got Mike Lowell to deal with. And that's where Mike Lowell has been big for us all year. You may walk a tightrope and pitch around those two, but you can't pitch around three."

Sometimes I wonder if pitchers just get too scared of hitters. Manny and Ortiz can hurt you, but they still make outs most of the time. Sixteen walks issued to the pair is just ridiculous. Pitchers need to throw ball in the strike zone to get them out. Walking the dynamic duo is just an invitation for the Red Sox to score runs.


Posted by David Pinto at 10:14 AM | Post Season | TrackBack (0)
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