Red Sox 6, Blue Jays 3
David Ortiz homered and added a bunt single, Matt Clement labored but was effective enough and Boston’s bullpen looked as strong as it has all season long as the Red Sox earned a hard-fought, 6-3 victory to salvage the final game of the series.
Regarding the bunt single, I just want to touch on one point. If David Ortiz can get that bunt down to the point where he thinks he can successfully place it, say, 80% of the time, it is unarguably worthwhile. During yesterday’s telecast, Jerry Remy spoke of how he ordinarily is not in favor of Ortiz bunting but in this instance it was ok because now Scott Schoenweis would have to face Manny Ramirez. No, it is a good play because it makes David Ortiz more of an offensive weapon than he otherwise would be. Think about it. You all have seen the shift. All Ortiz has to do is get a bunt down anywhere between shortstop and the third base line and he has a single every time. I am confident that he can execute the play, like I said before, 80% of the time. So on plays where the shift is on, David Ortiz can hit at a .800/.800/.800 clip, which is better than his typical .290/.400/.600 line to which we have grown accustomed. Now, if he becomes sucessful at this bunting business, we have an improved Papi and teams that erroneously believe they are containing him will pay. If teams go away from the shift because of Ortiz’s new-found bunting prowess, then that opens up more room for Ortiz to hit the ball through. It’s just a beautiful situation. To summarize my feelings on this, David Ortiz should drop that bunt down every single time the shift is on provided that he is as proficient at it as he looked yesterday.
I have some other thoughts on the bullpen, roster management and yes, even some more questions for Tito but those can hold off until later. I am a bit strapped for time. The Sox kick off a three-game set with the Tribe tomorrow night at the Jake. Should be a good early-season barometer to see where the Sox stand.
I say, if they’re going to give Papi the left side of the field, bunt away!
You’re absolutely right on the bunting issue. In almost every situation, you’re better off with an 80% chance of a single than you are with a 10% chance of a HR, which is about the clip Papi has running this year. The bunt is worthwhile on its own merits alone. The fact that it will also discourage the shift is just gravy. The shift has taken off about 30 points of BA so far this year.