Jacoby Ellsbury is the only player on the Boston Red Sox with more than 1 hit in this series. He is 2 for 7 (.286 avg, .859 OPS) with a triple and a run scored. He has been doing his part getting on base but if he doesn’t start getting some help the Red Sox will be going home until spring training soon.

30-year old 1B/3B Kevin Youkilis is having another outstanding season for the Red Sox. He has played in 125 games for the Red Sox this season and he is 140 for 455 (.308 avg, .967 OPS) with 93 runs scored, 25 homers, 86 RBIs and 6 stolen bases. Youkilis has been one of the most valuable players on the BoSox as he has played both 1B and 3B well in the field and his bat has been solid again.

31-year old righty swinging LF Jason Bay has been the man for the Red Sox this season. He has played in 140 games for the Red Sox this year and he is 133 for 494 (.269 avg, .943 OPS) with 98 runs scored, 36 homers, 113 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. With a lot of Red Sox hitters having off years the Red Sox have leaned on Bay and he has come through with flying colors. Bay has now played in 189 games in his career with the Red Sox and he is 187 for 678 (.276 avg, .931 OPS) with 137 runs scored, 45 homers, 150 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. The Red Sox should do whatever they can to keep Bay in Boston.

Since coming over from the Indians, Victor Martinez has been ripping the baseball. He has played in 39 games for the Red Sox this season and he is 49 for 149 (.329 avg, .916 OPS) with 20 runs scored, 6 homers and 30 RBIs. Martinez has even proved capable of catching Tim Wakefield. The most important thing about Martinez playing well is that it keeps Jason Varitek’s anemic bat on the bench. This was a fine pickup for the Red Sox.

The Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka had not pitched in three months after going on the DL, but he showed no signs of rust last night in Boston against the Los Angeles Angels.  Dice-K went six strong and scoreless innings on Tuesday night and didn’t allow a hit until the 5th inning.  He was relieved after facing one batter in the 7th, and as he walked from the mound to the dugout he received a standing ovation from the Fenway crowd.  Dike-K ended the night giving up only three hits while striking out five and walking three.  This was a great sign for the Red Sox as they really need another strong starting pitcher if they want to make a run at a World Series this year.  If Dice-K has the caliber of stuff that he showed Tuesday, then the Red Sox have a good shot at making that run.  The Red Sox are currently 5.5 games up on the Texas Rangers in the Wild Card and are 6.5 back of the Yankees in their division.