Well, it looks like the Jon Lester of last season is back. He was terrific on Sunday - and, this time, he kept the ball down much more often. His cut fastball returned to form. His threw the ball very hard at times (96 mph) This is, in some ways, the most important thing to happen to the team in the past few days.
Let's hope that Big Papi's double and triple yesterday were a sign of things to come. Amalie Benjamin's story on Ortiz in today's (4/21) Globe was very good because she got Ortiz to open up about his hitting woes. While it was nice to hear that Ortiz has been working hard on his hitting mechanics, it was a bit unsettling to read his admission that he's swinging late - and that that's something he has not usually done. The question is why? Let's hope it's a bad habit.
Interestingly, Ortiz himself admitted to Benjamin that "If you as a hitter slow down with 88 miles an hour (fastballs) that means you've got to go."
The bullpen has been very good with the exception of Javier Lopez, who, I must say, almost never reassures me on the mound. Papelbon, again, threw hard in his last appearance, but, I didn't see the "late life" in his fastball. I think if he has to pitch to the best hitters now, he'd have a tough time - without more "giddy-up" - The Yankees could be tough for him next weekend.
Youkilis and Pedroia have gotten so good that I'm rarely surprised by them now. Youkilis is on fire now -- I think he, actually, has a good chance to get better as a hitter - He seems to improve every year.
What impressed me with sweep of the Orioles is that the O's can really hit -- but, the Sox still kep them in check. Nick Markakis is, in my view, one of the best hitters out there.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
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