Observations/Notes from Game 3 loss

Just a few observations or notes from Monday's dreadful Sox loss.

1). Jacoby Ellsbury no longer hits the ball on the ground or to the opposite field. The Red Sox offense will continue to struggle as long as he tries to pull everything. He needs to set the table, and he’s only going to get on base by going the other way.

2). Losing 9-1 in the last inning, how come Sean Casey wasn’t inserted as a pinch-hitter? He’s on the roster to pinch-hit, I assume for either Jason Varitek or Kevin Cash late in games, so why not give him a shot in a meaningless situation, so he’s not so rusty in a meaningful situation?

3). Jason Varitek may be one of the best defensive catchers I’ve ever seen (I always was a Tony Pena fan though). The Sox should resign him for the next two years. His offense is terrible, but did anyone ever talk about Mark Belanger’s or Dave Concepcion’s offense? You need to have one player in the line-up everyday in a prime position, who can play defense and ‘Tek certainly can catch.

4). I really enjoy the play-by play of Caray, Martinez and Darling. They aren’t Orsillo and Remy, but thankfully they are not as Buck and McCarver – the two worst announcers in sports.

5). If B.J. Upton ever gets a baseball brain, he could become a 40-40 guy every year, and one of the most dominating players in a long time.

6). How come Carlos Pena is so good, when two years ago he was playing Triple A for the Yankees and Red Sox? Did he wake up one day and say ‘I’m going to suck this year’ and then wake up the next year and say ‘I’m going to be good again’? I don’t get it.

7). David Ortiz is really struggling. He also needs to go the other way. Forget the home runs – just get on base so Youkilis, Drew and Bay can get the singles, doubles and RBIs.

8). I don’t care if Manny hits .900 with the Dodgers. He’s arguably the best right-handed hitter I’ve ever seen (Mike Schmidt, Paul Molitor and Albert Pujols are my other top three), but it’s great seeing a hustling, Jason Bay out there, who does nothing exceptionally well, but everything well.

9). What has happened to the Red Sox running game? Oh yeah, Jacoby hasn’t been on base.

10). Prediction for tonight – Sox beat up Sonnastine early and get to the ‘Rays bullpen which is very important. Wakefield gets hit around but keeps team in the game. Sox win, 8-5.