Boston's Bettah – A Boston Sports blog from guys that love Boston sports a little too much

A couple of years ago, Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins ended one season on some pretty absurd hitting streak. I don’t remember what it was on account of I’m not a Phillies fan nor am I motivated enough to look it up, I just remember it was a pretty long one. More importantly, it was getting a lot of fan-fare for its length as he was approaching records in Major League Baseball.

Now the sports world is still too wrapped up in the playoffs in both basketball and hockey and probably would rather talk about last month’s NFL Draft, but all of a sudden there is another hitting streak that has gone over the off-season that is starting to approach historic levels. It also, by my accounts, approaching at an extremely quiet pace. That hitting streak is the 27 game one of Red Sox slugger David Ortiz.

Perhaps it is based on the fact that I am sitting in the suburbs of Washington D.C instead of in front of a television watching NESN or CSNNE or listening to 98.5 Sports Hub but David Ortiz has gone about this hit streak in what feels like a quiet manner. Ask most people what they know about David Ortiz in 2013, and the first thing that will probably come to mind is his speech at the first home game back at Fenway after the Boston Marathon. Remember the “This is our fuckin’ city!” speech? That’s what comes to mind about 2013 Big Papi.

Thing is, David Ortiz is smoking at the plate. A couple of weeks ago, it was Mike Napoli carrying the offense, but since Papi’s return it’s reverted back to his job. In only 15 games this season, Ortiz already has 4 HR, 17 RBI and has an OPS at a ridiculous 1.2. Not bad for a player that a lot of people wanted to cut the cord with due to his advancing age. Even if his pace tapers off a little bit, Ortiz would still be at least offensive MVP by a large margin for the Boston Red Sox.

Most notably, however, is David Ortiz’ hitting streak. The biggest issue behind legitimizing it is the fact that it started last July before Ortiz missed the rest of 2012 with an Achilles injury. It still doesn’t take away the fact that Ortiz now is tied for the fifth longest hitting streak in Red Sox history, tied with some guy named Manny Ramirez and some guy named Dom DiMaggio. Not big names at all. Even if Ortiz’s hitting streak started last year, it still takes a lot of skill – and a little bit of luck – to carry it for 27 straight games.

Tonight, Ortiz looks to continue his hitting streak against Minnesota. Sitting only 7 games away from tying DiMaggio for the longest in Red Sox history, Ortiz continuing to hit would do two things for the franchise. On one hand, it would be a baseball human interest story that would be fun to follow. More importantly, it would continue to power an offense for a team that is right now one of the best in baseball.

If the 2013 Boston Red Sox season hadn’t already begun to look like a complete 180 degree spin from last year’s debacle, then Monday night’s comeback win should help convince the fans and the pundits even more. So far in 2013, the Boston Red Sox had survived thanks to their pitching and timely hitting. Down 2-1 after four and a half innings, the Boston Red Sox scored eight runs in the fourth and fifth innings to take the lead for good in the game. The runs were highlighted by Mike Napoli’s grand-slam leading everyone to proclaim their love for Mike Napoli across all of social media. Even Mugatu got into the act, and yes that was a lame attempt to point you towards our Facebook page.

Mike Napoli’s accession into one of the Boston Red Sox’ top hitters has been quick and shocking. Red Sox hitters knew they were getting a power hitter, but in the past week of baseball, Mike Napoli has been sensational. In that week, he is hitting .363 with 2 home-runs and 15 RBI, basically single-handily propelling the Boston Red Sox offense over that time. In the process, he has reversed his dreadful start to the season, raising his averages to .278/.321/.570.

That right there begs the question, is what Mike Napoli doing sustainable across the entire season? Can Mike Napoli be counted on to be a consistent big bat in this offense?

Simply, the answer is no. It is also wrong to think that Mike Napoli will revert back to his early-season slide. I’ll explain.

First, let’s take a look at Napoli’s career stats.

What does this tell us? Mike Napoli has really only had one truly great season was in 2011 where everyone felt super-proud when they drafted him in the later rounds of their fantasy baseball drafts. He was a huge reason that the Texas Rangers offense was so successful that season. Granted, Napoli had hip problems in 2012 that limited him, but the stats show that being around a .270 hitter and an eh OBP. He will certainly put up great slugging numbers, but that’s why the Boston Red Sox paid him the cash, to slug balls. His average in the past week has been an added bonus.

I would expect Mike Napoli to come back down to Earth a little bit and taper off at his current average. Fenway is a hitters park and the fact that everyone in front of him is doing a good job getting on base will help his RBI numbers and Napoli should continue to have a good season. It’s just hard to see his current run being sustainable.

Enjoy it while it lasts.

 

In this crazy day in Boston as part of this crazy, crazy week in the city we love dear, three things have mostly gotten the people who live in the city and the people who pray for their safety through this.

1. The fact that Boston’s finest police officers are trying to get the last guy. Mess with Boston, and they will shut the whole damn city down to look for you and make you pay for what you’ve done. Have I mentioned before I love this city?
2. Pictures and .gifs of cute animals just to make us say “Dawwwwww”. @PlastikAvenger on Twitter posted this one and everything felt right for the briefest of moments.
3. Humor has gone along way just to get our minds on to something else again for a brief second.

To that one I say, nice job Will Middlebrooks. Obviously, Middlebrooks and Dustin Pedroia aren’t going to go out and take him down like Batman and Robin, but Middlebrooks gave himself and Bostonians a little chuckle. He’s just as frustrated and nervous as the rest of us, all he needed was a little laugh.