Ellsbury Back Today

Jacoby Ellsbury, sidelined since getting hit on the back by a pitch in Kansas City, is expected to return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Rangers. Thank Christ, because this is getting kind of ridiculous. Our injury lineup is looking better then our actually starting lineup, but with Ellsbury back at least it gives them somewhat of a normal lineup.



Also, it sounds like Ortiz could be back later this week. He is supposed to take batting practice and be evaluated today. And not that anyone cares, but JD Drew started his rehab assignment and is supposed to rejoin the Red Sox Sept 1st.

3 Sox, 1 Rays (game 1), 6 Rays, 2 Sox

During the day game Jon Lester finally pitched like the player he can be. He went 7 innings, let up 1 run on 3 hits and struck out 8. Lester ran into some trouble early when a leadoff double to Desmond Jennings, who then stole third and scored on a groundout by Evan Longoria. Ben Zobrist followed that up with a double. However, Lester was untouchable after that when he retired 12 in a row.



The only offense for the Sox came in the 3rd when Jacoby Ellsbury hit a 3 run jack. Right now he has 21 (22 by the end of the night) home runs and 78 RBIs, pretty damn good if you ask me.



After that James Shields shut down the Sox offense, he only let up those hits in the 3rd and then nothing after that. Luckily the Sox only needed those 3 runs.



Bard and Pap took care of the 8 and 9, end of game.



GAME TWO

6 Rays, 2 Sox



No matter where Erik Bedard goes, the team fails to produce runs. Bedard gave up 1 earned run (3 total runs), in 6 innings and also struck out 6. I'll take that from my 3rd starter any day.



Jeff Neimann had the Sox number last night as he went the distance, giving up three hits and striking out ten. The only 2 runs were solo shots from Jason Varitek and Jacoby Ellsbury to keep the Sox around.



Matt Albers came in and quickly ruined any chance to come back as he was tagged for 3 earned runs.



Oh well, can't win them all.

Ellsbury For MVP?

DP's hatred for one Jacoby Ellsbury must be fading at this point, as this guy proves game after game that he is the best center fielder in all of baseball. Beyond that he might even end up with the MVP by the end of the season.

Sure, his steals are a little down from where they usually are (on pace for 46), but he is making up for it in every other way. He is having a career year batting (.320), on base percentage (.376), homeruns (16, on pace for 26), RBIs (58 on pace for 95). Not to mention he is pretty damn good in the field.

I don't think he will win it because Adrian Gonzalez is on the team and I think in the end he will end up winning it, but Jacoby is cementing himself as the best leadoff hitter in the AL, and the best center fielder in the game. Good thing we held on to this guy.