So the blueprint for the Sox season every year is for the team to win 95 or so games. Bill James, the Sox statistical genius, has basically laid that number as the cut off to make it in the playoffs. I’m sure there have been 95 win teams that didn’t make it but I’m too lazy to look it up and it probably happened before the Wild Card was introduced.
Where am I going with this you ask? Nowhere really. Just wanted to put that out there.
No, where I really want to go today is to the lineup that was fielded last night for the Sox. For those of you who missed it, here’s what Francona put out there:
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Victor Martinez, C
4. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
5. Jason Bay, LF
6. David Ortiz, DH
7. Mike Lowell, 3B
8. J.D. Drew, RF
9. Alex Gonzalez, SS
I love it. Beckett didn’t get his binky behind the plate with Varitek and he still pitched a solid game. Since he only gave up two runs you’d have to say he scattered the 12 hits he gave up. But he only walked one while striking out seven. Not a bad night indeed.
I’m hoping that this is the exact same lineup that Francona puts out there for game one of the ALDS. So long Varitek. When a player can’t field his position (remember the two past balls in two games last week, one that cost the team a win?), can’t bat his weight (he’s listed at 230 pounds and is batting .210) and is just an albatross to the team, the bench is the perfect place for him.
It’s to the point that I’d almost consider not putting Varitek on the post season roster. Invent some injury like you did earlier this year with his “neck strain” and leave him off. If he’s useless as a defense replacement and useless as a pinch hitter all the “calling a good game” in the world isn’t going to make him worthy of a post season spot.
Martinez has proven since coming to the team and taking over that three spot in the lineup that he’s the real deal. He’s batted .330 since coming over with 11 doubles, six homers and 34 RBI’s. In that same stretch, Varitek has batted around .128 with one homer and seven RBI’s.
I say if Varitek wants to come back next year (why wouldn’t he activate the player option?) you just release him. I know it’s sacrilege to say anything bad about the captain in Boston, but let’s get real. He was on the back nine of his career last year, this year was just a joke. Stop being a greedy assholeface, pack up your gear and retire. You don’t have “it” anymore. You suck.
When can we kiss Assholehead Ramon Ramirez to the curb? All this fuckin guy does now is give up runs and waste our time… If they blow this game, I just may be sick…
Go easy on Tek! He’s worked his ass of for what, 12 or so years now. Think Jake Taylor…
“I’m hung over, my knees are killin’ me and if you’re going to pull this shit at least you could’ve said you were from the Yankees.”