Iron Mike Lowell & Big Papi Lead Sox to Fourth Strait

Iron Mike Lowell is Back, and back with a vengeance. (SawxBlog Illustration)

Seeing Iron Mike Lowell back in the lineup makes me beyond happy, and the fact that I picked him up off of waivers only a week ago in my fantasy league is just a cherry on the top for me. The 2007 World Series MVP looks like he's starting to reach form once again after suffering an early season thumb injury, and you can see first hand how he offensively and defensively sparks the Red Sox. Manny and Papi now have their protection back, and with Drew and Lugo swinging better bats this year our offense has a lot of formidable power.

I guess that's why I was so frustrated last week when it seemed like a struggle for the Sox to push even one run across the plate. The beast seems have been awoken though, and with Lowell in the middle of it all, I couldn't be happier. On the other side of the ball Dice-K continues to baffle on the mound. Dice-K's individual numbers are actually pretty fricken decent so far in 2008. He's now 5-0 with an ERA of 2.43. Matsuzaka has given up only 22 hits in 40.2 innings however where you start to scratch your head is how early his pitch count reaches high numbers.

This is due to his reluctance to throw strikes in fastball counts which leads to his high BB total. He had 8 walks alone last night which just isn't acceptable. He somehow managed to walk between the raindrops without getting wet, but living on the edge like that won't last long in this league. He already has 27 BB's to his 33 K's, and in order for him to raise to the next level of pitcher, he absolutely needs to figure out how to get outs on less pitches with fewer walks.

All that said, this was an important first win to grab on this road trip as Wakefield looks to take advantage of the large foul territory that's now in Detroit tonight.

PS - Go Celtics!

Comments

[TheYawkeyWay]

Very nice to see Lowell back in the lineup! A lot of thanks has to go to Casey for "holding the fort down". Plus Youk being a stud on the corners!

It could have been a disastrous night last night IF those walks weren't handed to Detroit (for the most part) with 2 outs.

[Troy]

Did you hear his interview with Jim Rome? What a classy guy. He's got a new book coming out today which sounds interesting.

It's funny that even Lowell admits sometimes he can't figure out Manny. heh.

[Derek Hixon]

Yes, BIG props to Casey, he's been phenomenal in all ways imaginable. And I think I'm going to pick up Mikey's book and review it, stay classy Boston. :-)

[RationalSoxFan]

Casey did great - no argument there! But, it is interesting that the offense getting hot coincides pretty well with Lowell's presence in the lineup?

[Derek Hixon]

We should just start calling Mike Lowell "The Factor".