Posted by Alex Speier

It seems an odd time to think about anything that might be amiss with the Red Sox lineup. The team is pounding out runs by the bushel, having averaged just over seven runs a game in its last 22 contests. More than at any other time of the year, the team is getting contributions from every part of the lineup. Last night’s 15-8 loss to the Rangers notwithstanding–a game that merely reinforced Tim Wakefield’s likely desire to set Ameriquest Field in Arlington aflame (the knuckleballer is 5-12, 6.17 in the setting)–these have been happy times for a Boston team that is almost certain to march into the playoffs. 

This man has been "keeping the line moving"...but he has not been moving the line.

And yet…

There is the lingering curiosity about what, exactly, is going on with David Ortiz. The Sox designated hitter has not gone deep since August 16. He is now amidst a 19-game streak without a homer, tied for his longest power drought since he came to the Sox in 2003. 

During that span, he is hitting .294 with a .442 OBP and .426 slugging mark. Obviously, he is taking his walks (18 of ‘em, to be exact), a development that the Sox welcome in the spirit of their “keep the line moving” offensive philosophy. But Ortiz has not been a game-changing presence. 

Perhaps this is a normal development in the aftermath of the partial tear of the tendon sheath in his left wrist. Or maybe Ortiz is simply struggling with his mechanics after having spent almost two months on the sidelines. Or perhaps opposing pitchers have just been particularly fine in approaching the man given that Manny Ramirez is no longer behind him in the lineup.  

(Disclaimer: it is worth noting a) that most research into the matter concludes that the notion of lineup protection is a myth; b) that Ortiz has been spectacularly productive in the past without Ramirez hitting behind him, most notably in Sept. 2007, when he hit .396/.517/.824 (!) with nine homers and Sept. 2006, when he hit .288/.485/.658 with seven bombs; and c) with Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis getting the lion’s share of at-bats, Sox cleanup hitters are hitting .346/.438/.631 since Ramirez got the boot.)

The power outage hasn’t been a problem to date, and might not become one going forward. But it will be worth watching over the season’s final three weeks, since an already effective Red Sox lineup would take on a more menacing complexion if Ortiz returns to more typical levels of production.