Before things went south with Manny Ramirez this season, if you asked the Red Sox who they would rather have in their lineup: Ramirez or Jason Bay, who do you think they would have picked?
The answer was clear then and even more clear last night, but for different reasons.
Manny hit his 25th playoff home run. Jason Bay's two-run home run in the sixth inning last night against the Angels is probably the biggest home run he has ever hit in his career.
Danny Moloshok/Reuters
Bay hustled all over the field last night, but Manny got an infield single. I cannot remember the last time Manny sprinted down the first base line.
So who would I rather have in the lineup in the postseason, where it matters most?
Jason Bay.
Not because Manny left Boston on such a sour note, but because Bay has shown he can handle Boston and Boston loves him for it. Boston loved Manny when he was doing things we would chastise other clubs for letting players get away with. Bay plays hard every single game for the Sox. Did Manny? Not even close. I don't care what he says, he was like Clemens, finding a way out of Boston, claiming injuries. As soon as he leaves, he's hitting over .400, has almost as many HRs in a couple months than he did the entire season and he could be the NL MVP. What does that say about Manny's character? It tells me he isn't someone I respect as a person. As a player? Sure. But you get the whole package of an individual when they play for you.
The media went crazy when Francona pushed Beckett to start the 3rd game, rather than the first. Red Sox Nation didn't bat an eye. Lester has been spot on, and last night he showed that the Sox don't have just one ace, they arguably have 2, maybe 3. Allowing only one unearned run on an muffed lazy grounder to Jed Lowrie, Lester shut down the bats of the Angels giving up only 1 walk, 6 hits, and striking out 7 in 7 innings of work. Masterson gave up a pair of hits in the 8th, but he got out of the inning unscathed to give way to Papelbon who gave up a hit and struckout all three to secure the save.
The Sox turn to Dice-K tomorrow while the Angels how Ervin Santana can stop the bleeding. There is nothing the Sox want more than to leave Anaheim up 2 games with arguably October's best pitcher in baseball taking the mound on Sunday.
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