A-Rod Jacks Up KC; Ellsbury Back to DL

Last night we got a glimpse at the A-Rod circa 2005 as the Yankee third baseman demolished the Royals pitching with three home runs and propelled the Yankees to a 8-3 victory.

Everyone has been discussing Rodriguez's down year and he suffered through more criticism for his diminished slugging ability when he took longer than any other player to transition from 599 home runs to 600. And it is all true. Rodriguez is posting some of the worst numbers of his career in almost every offensive category. Still last night showed that A-Rod can still crush the ball every once in a while.

And while the Red Sox won last night, they lost Jacoby Ellsbury yet again. I gotta say, while I love the idea of the Red Sox trying to make up ground without their leadoff hitter - or their two best hitters in Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis - I feel bad for Ellsbury. The guy can't catch a break, well bad choice of words considering it's his broken ribs that have constantly plagued him this season.

Ellsbury has played only 18 games this season and never more than nine games before hitting the DL. Hopfully he gets healthy soon. Just not soon enough to try and save the Red Sox season.

Ominous Signs for Red Sox

The Red Sox, refreshed and rejuvenated after the All-Star break, just showed how good they're feeling by getting blown out two games in a row at home by the Rangers. This is a series the Sox really needed because after this comes the kiss of death, the ten game west coast road trip (cue the foreboding organ music). I don't see how the Red Sox can survive this trip and still remain a viable contender with the Rays and Yanks. They're just too banged up.

In other cheerful news, is Jacoby Ellsbury going to be a factor this year? Apparently he's going to be back soon, but I've heard that one before. In any case, I'm really sick of these rotating scrubs in the outfield. Josh Beckett is finishing up his rehab too. I don't have high hopes for him and his 7.00 ERA either. Someone needs to give these guys some V a la True Blood.

The Case Against The One Game Playoff

Yes it's full of drama, one game for all the marbles and a chance at the World Series. But then what did we go through all these freakin' games for? When division opponents play each other 19 times, the season series should determine the division winner, whose in whose out. In a sport like baseball when the cumulative effect of 162 games is supposed to remove all doubt who the best team is after being tested for 5 months, it's totally unfair for one game to decide something as important and fundamental as a playoff berth. If we're going to allow one game to decide, then we may as well shorten the season to 100 or 50 or even 20 games. A team that wins a season series over 19 games has proven itself the better team and should be allowed to reap the benefits.

As the regular season ends, the leader boards are peppered with Red Sox. Jason Bay finished tied for 3rd in home runs behind Carlos Pena and Mark Teixeira and 2nd in RBI behind Teixeira. Had he been more consistent, Bay could have contended for the MVP. Dustin Pedroia finished 1st in the AL in runs scored for the second year in a row. In a most impressive feat Jacoby Ellsbury lead MLB in stolen bases with 70. This is also the second straight season he's led the AL. On the pitching side, Jon Lester finished 3rd in the AL in strikeouts. I personally didn't think he would develop in to the strikeout artist he became this season.

Well, let the playoffs begin. We'll see if the Sox can put their crummy finish behind them. Bring on the Halos.

JaCocoby

I have heard pundits speculate in recent days as to why Jacoby Ellsbury is not the Sox everyday center fielder right now. This speculation is bound to get more rampant following Jacoby's home run today in a losing cause verse Toronto. Rest assured that he will be the everyday CF before too long. Coco Crisp unfortunately has become expendable. However, he will lack any value if he's been sitting on the bench for the whole year previous to the trading deadline. He is essentially auditioning for other clubs at this point. What the Sox will get for him, I don't know. Perhaps some bullpen help. It appears as though they need it. Despite his struggles at the plate, I think there are a lot of teams who will like Coco's speed and defense. I kind of wish the Sox could hang on to him instead of JD Poo, but no one will want to take on that stupid contract.

Sheesh. Today's game against the Jays was painful. If the Sox can't get past this hex the Blue Jays have over them, it will most certainly cause problems when it comes to challenging for the division. The loss today was made doubly vexing by the fact that Pete was at Yankee Stadium today watching his beloved Stanks beat up on the Deviled Eggs. Oh, wait... they dropped the 'Devil' part from their moniker this year.