Sweepstakes - Yankees Sweep Red Sox, Cut Lead to 5 Games

Tek can't bear to watch as he helped "throw away" the game late. (AP Photo)

OK...well that series sure didn't go as planned. The Red Sox had a chance to show if they had a knockout punch however it looks like that may be a punch they lack. All Boston really had to do here was win one lousy game and they couldn't even do that. Looking back on this year so far leads me to some strange conclusions.

For basically the entire year the Red Sox have owned the best record in baseball. The Red Sox have consistently had the best starting pitching along with a really strong bullpen. The Red Sox lead in their division (even on this day) is the largest in any division in baseball, yet something seems amiss, and that something is our offense.

That's what it came down to in every single one of these past three games against the Yankees, our hitting. Our pitching staff held the Yanks fine enough, but our bats looked pathetic out there. And honestly I don't care if we're with or without Manny in the lineup (obviously I'd rather have him in it), there's too many guys on our squad who are making too much money and really not performing to spec.

Coco Crisp, J.D. Drew, Julio Lugo I'm looking squarely at you. The three of you make a respectve  $3,833,333,  $14,400,000, &  $8,250,000 a year. For a grand total of $26,483,333. Just to give you an idea on how much that is, the total Tampa Bay Devil Ray TEAM salary is $23,824,200. Now lets look at their Batting Averages:

• Coco Crisp - .265
• J.D. Drew - .257
• Julio Lugo - .238

So our $26 Million Dollar Trio is hitting for a combined .253 on the year. If you want to know why the dominating 2007 Boston Red Sox don't seem so dominating you really don't have to look any further then those three. There the glue that's been missing.

So guys, if you are reading this, how about you start doing what you get paid to do, and that's hit a baseball. Don't do it for the love of the game, or for pride, or for your teammates, or fans. Do it because this is what you get paid to do, and it's your freaking job.

Comments

[Jesse]

How about Coco striking out 7 of 10 at bats heading into thursdays game. And if i knew how to find stats i bet you i could dig up an embarassing stat about Coco's average with guys on base.

[Derek Hixon]

I'm with you on Coco frustration, however his defense has to counted for something. In the end though if you're not even sniffing .300 you're not doing your jobby job.

[cblesz]

NG...is this your blog? If so, good job. I really hate those three freaking guys. This team is flawed and we were exposed during the Yankee series.

[Mo]

Worst - Drew is having a very average year...Not the kind of year he's being paid to have. Brutal.

[Israel Alvarez]

How about Varitek? His batting blows since the break - I cringe every time he's up because unless he gets 4 balls, it's almost a guaranteed out. And now he's blowing plays, too? Frankly, Cocoa and Lugo are contributing far more to this team than Varitek has of late. His average currently stands at .263

I understand Drew, but Cocoa and Lugo have been playing some great defense lately.

[Israel Alvarez]

And after tonight's game....can we just get him to not swing if he has to come to the plate so he doesn't hit into a double play and LOSE THE FREAKING GAME?

[tamia]

yea my father bday is in 2 days and he wants tickets to the yankes game and i want hi to have good seats he wants to catch a ball and we ont havea lot of monet he wants like the 3 floor botom flooor or second florr please thanxx i love the yankess