Terry Francona explained why he is keeping Big Papi as the number three guy in the Red Sox batting order:
He’s going to get hot. How hot? Well, let’s find out. And when it does happen, I don’t want him hitting eighth. Again, we set this up [the lineup] for a reason, and we want to see this through. If it gets to the point where we have to make a change, I will certainly do that. And I’ve told David, David and I have had this talk, and that’s not a problem. I’m probably the one hanging on to this, I want this to work where it is.”
Ortiz has struggled but I think there is way to much focus on where he bats in the order right now. Moving Big Papi down to #7 is not going to magically make him start hitting home runs. There is pressure on Ortiz now at #3 and there will be pressure on him if he bats #7. Nothing is going to make the pressure go away until he hits a few homers. It will happen soon and he will get more relaxed at the plate and start putting up good numbers. Keep the faith.
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