Big Papi Gets the Boot

Just when the Red Sox were ready to get the band of varsity players back together David Ortiz sprains an achilles & will be out for at least a week, maybe longer. Big Papi is the stabilizing force in the Red Sox lineup. Without him the Sox will need to use the speed of Ellsbury & Crawford to manufacture runs - like the 1st 2 last night. Most analysts have said the Sox need to play .600 ball from here out to reach 89 wins & make the playoffs. Without Big Papi the entire pitching staff is going to need 2 or 3 turns where they keep the opposition to 3-5 runs to have a chance to win - like Tampa Bay. Jon Lester showed last night that he is not ready to do his part yet.