Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
While the Detroit Tigers have the better pitching staff, the Boston Red Sox have the great equalizer: a stacked lineup that can score runs in bunches at any time.
Let’s start at the top. Jacoby Ellsbury sets the table for the entire lineup and is the best leadoff hitter in the game for my money. The Red Sox added Shane Victorino last offseason and boy, has his presence paid off. Victorino can do it all. He can field, he can pop a home run for you, and he can steal bases and score runs. He also seems to save his best for the postseason and has always been an October baseball player.
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Dustin Pedroia is the engine that makes this whole thing run. He is the heart and soul of this Red Sox team. Whether it is getting the big hit or making a gem of a play in the infield, you can count on Pedroia to get it done. Simply put, he is one of the game’s grittiest players and a classic Red Sox player — a warrior.
This brings us to the two big boppers. Mike Napoli was a crucial off-season addition. The Red Sox were lacking some pop at first base, so they went out and acquired the big slugger. He came through with 23 HRs, close to 100 RBIs, and a really solid 362. OBP — solid numbers across the board. He also played a slick first base defensively.
This brings us to the man they call Big Papi. Would you want anyone else hitting in the middle of your order than David Ortiz, especially in the post season? The answer is no. Ortiz simply gets it done when it matters most. He may have saved the Red Sox season a few nights ago, and more is in store for the postseason legend.
This is a classic match up of pitching vs. hitting. The Red Sox lineup is the great equalizer. While they say pitching wins championships, this offense may yet prove that theory wrong.
