RSL Poll: Who's the Sox MVP?
The Guru
Contributing Writer
As the Red Sox begin the final month of the season with a 5 1/2 game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East, the team appears destined for it's first playoff appearance since 2009.
In today's RSL Poll we debate the Red Sox MVP candidates.
Jacoby Ellsbury: In a contract year, Ellsbury is making a run at a very large contract. Ellsbury is hitting .297, with 87 runs scored, 50 RBI, seven home runs and leads the league in triples (9) and stolen bases (51). Ellsbury has proved to be one of the better centerfielder's in the game today.
David Ortiz: Coming off an injury marred 2012, there were questions whether Ortiz could still hit and stay healthy. Big Papi has done both. Ortiz is batting .312 and leads the team with 24 homers and 85 RBI. With two more hits, Ortiz will become the 39th player in major league history with 2,000 hits, 400 homers and 1,400 RBIs. So goes Big Papi, so goes the Red Sox.
Dustin Pedroia: After signing a $100 million contract, Pedroia went into a .216 July slump. However, over the past two weeks, Pedroia has been streaking (23-58) at a .397 clip. Pedroia is hitting .300 with 8 homers, 76 RBI, has a shot at 200 hits on the year and remains the heart and soul of this Red Sox team.
Shane Victorino: The Red Sox took some criticism in the offseason for signing the 32-year-old Victorino to a 3-year, $39 million contract. Despite playing through back and leg injuries that have relegated the switch hitter to batting exclusively right handed, Victorino has proved his worth at the plate and in the field. Victorino is hitting .295 with 71 runs scored, 12 homers, 51 RBI and 18 steals.
Koji Uehara: Uehara grabbed the closers job in late June and has been one of the most dominant relievers in the game. Remember, the Sox went through three closers, Joel Hanrahan, Andrew Bailey and Junichi Tazawa, before handing the ball to Koji. In his last 21 games, Uehara has allowed just seven baserunners, striking out 30 while walking only one. Uehara has 13 saves in 16 chances has not blown a save since July 6.
What say you Red Sox Lifer's?
Follow The Guru on Twitter @TheGuruGS
More musings from The Guru.
Contributing Writer
In today's RSL Poll we debate the Red Sox MVP candidates.
Jacoby Ellsbury: In a contract year, Ellsbury is making a run at a very large contract. Ellsbury is hitting .297, with 87 runs scored, 50 RBI, seven home runs and leads the league in triples (9) and stolen bases (51). Ellsbury has proved to be one of the better centerfielder's in the game today.
David Ortiz: Coming off an injury marred 2012, there were questions whether Ortiz could still hit and stay healthy. Big Papi has done both. Ortiz is batting .312 and leads the team with 24 homers and 85 RBI. With two more hits, Ortiz will become the 39th player in major league history with 2,000 hits, 400 homers and 1,400 RBIs. So goes Big Papi, so goes the Red Sox.
Dustin Pedroia: After signing a $100 million contract, Pedroia went into a .216 July slump. However, over the past two weeks, Pedroia has been streaking (23-58) at a .397 clip. Pedroia is hitting .300 with 8 homers, 76 RBI, has a shot at 200 hits on the year and remains the heart and soul of this Red Sox team.
Shane Victorino: The Red Sox took some criticism in the offseason for signing the 32-year-old Victorino to a 3-year, $39 million contract. Despite playing through back and leg injuries that have relegated the switch hitter to batting exclusively right handed, Victorino has proved his worth at the plate and in the field. Victorino is hitting .295 with 71 runs scored, 12 homers, 51 RBI and 18 steals.
Koji Uehara: Uehara grabbed the closers job in late June and has been one of the most dominant relievers in the game. Remember, the Sox went through three closers, Joel Hanrahan, Andrew Bailey and Junichi Tazawa, before handing the ball to Koji. In his last 21 games, Uehara has allowed just seven baserunners, striking out 30 while walking only one. Uehara has 13 saves in 16 chances has not blown a save since July 6.
What say you Red Sox Lifer's?
Follow The Guru on Twitter @TheGuruGS
More musings from The Guru.
