Ortiz Slump Over? Stop the Crazy Talk

All of Boston is talking about the Sox taking game one of the three game series between Boston and the New York Yankees.

Boston, led by the brilliance of Josh Beckett, won 7-0.

In the midst of the all the excitement was an absolute bomb off the bat of David Ortiz. He took A.J. Burnett deep to Portland, Maine.

That was Papi’s third home run of the season.  The hit kept Ortiz hitting streak alive at seven.

So is Papi back?

Please, just stop with the crazy talk. 

Look, I’m pulling for him like everyone else in Red Sox Nation. It’s just when Ortiz is at bat, I begin to feel bad for him. Most of the time, he just looks pathetic chasing balls in the dirt or not catching up to an 89 MPH fastball.

During this seven game hitting streak, Papi is only hitting .276.  That’s getting out of a slump? 

Six of the seven games, Ortiz has only one hit.  Two hits are for doubles and two more for home runs.

He has driven in six RBI during this streak.  Not bad. 

But, he has struck out eight times in his last 29 at-bats. He’s had more multi-strikeout games than multi-hit games during this ‘streak.’

Walks?  How about once. An eight-to-one strikeouts to walk ratio.  Not good at all.

Yet, I’m supposed to get excited for a guy hitting .276 with two home runs and one, yes count it, one multi-hit game during this streak.

Please, again.  Just stop.

What everyone should be talking about is Josh Beckett. Has there been anyone as dominating in the Majors not named Roy Halladay?

Beckett went six innings, one hit, no runs. One hit. He’s been lights out.

Since May 5th, Beckett is 5-0 with a 1.72 ERA.  His last four starts, Beckett is 3-0 allowing one earned run and 11 hits.

Let’s map that out.  Beckett’s ERA during that frame, 0.31.  He has struck out 30 in 28 innings pitched.

Where’s the hype for Josh Beckett?  Where’s the ‘wows’ and comments of ‘best pitcher in baseball right now?’

No, we’re talking about David Ortiz's seven game hitting streak. A .276 batting average during this hitting streak.  

We’re talking about Ortiz hitting almost over .200 this year.

Yet, not much talk of Beckett.

I hope Papi comes out of it. But, behind the numbers is a player still struggling.