Tampa Bay demolished the Red Sox by a score of 9-1 in Game 3. The Sox were outhit, especially by the long ball, & outpitched. Their few opportunities to score runs just didn't materialize via a key hit.
Recipe for Game 4:
1) Forget Game 3. It's history.
2) Get a lead early & keep it.
Cash will catch Wakefield, so we don't need to worry about Varitek at the plate. I'd give Coco a start in center since Ellsbury is so cold. I'd start Lowrie at short instead of Cora for a better bat.
Other than one long ball, Drew has been ineffective at the plate. Ortiz has been absent from the offense as well. Both of these guys need to figure into the offense starting tomorrow. It can't be Pedroia - Youk - Bay every game. It's nice to see that Kotsay has hit the ball hard just about every time at the plate.
If Drew can't go, I'd put Casey at first & move Kotsay to RF. Casey is good for at least one hit every game.
It's time to shake things up a little with the non-productive parts of the order. I wouldn't mind seeing Casey hit for Ortiz & give him a day off to clear his head.
We did come back from 3-0 against the Yankees & 3-1 against Cleveland last year. But you can't go that route too many times before getting burned. We need a win in Game 4.
1 comment:
Steve from Manchester, NH writes:
I agree with putting Cash in. He can't do any worse than Tek.
While Ortiz isn't hitting, I'n not ready to give up on him yet. I think the playoffs are not a time to give someone a day off to clear his head. During the season OK, but not now.
I think it looks like Tampa's year. That lineup is pretty impressive.
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