Ellsbury Figures It Out

By Erik Pesta

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

What a weekend! With a 10-game win streak, the Sox have shown us that they have what it takes to compete in baseball's toughest division. Friday night was probably the best game, with Jason Bay tying things up with a monster ninth inning homerun to left center, and Kevin Youkilis winning it in extra frames with a huge blast of his own. But the play of the weekend just may have involved the birth of a superstar. Jacoby Ellsbury really has a shot at being a special player, and last night showed us why. There were a couple of things that went through my mind when he electrified the Fenway crowd with his steal of home plate:

1. I can't believe Pettitte didn't check the runner. Hasn't he been pitching for like 50 years?

2. Ellsbury is figuring out how to best use his speed to his advantage. Getting on however he can, stealing bases, disrupting the other team's pitchers, and being an all-around nuisance.

When he arrived on the scene a couple years ago, his incredible 2007 World Series performance set some pretty lofty expectations that he could never realize in 2008. While he didn't exactly flounder, he certainly fell short of what Sox fans had hoped. Yes, he led the A.L. in steals and finished third in Rookie of the Year balloting, but he had a poor on base percentage for a guy who leads off one of baseball's most prolific offenses. To be honest, his OBP is still poor, but he's growing up before our eyes. Terry Francona could be seen in the dugout after the steal, smiling from ear to ear and hugging Ellsbury before giving him a smack on the butt and sending him on his way. He looked like a proud father. It was a genuine moment, and you could see it on both of their faces. He's still just a kid, but he's starting to get comfortable in his role and sometimes, that's all it takes. Throw in his stellar defense and it's easy to see why we expect so much from him.

Tonight, the Sox take aim at last year's A.L. Cy Young winner, who hasn't exactly followed up 2008 the way he wanted. Cliff Lee enters the series with a 1-3 record and an ERA of 5.25. Conversely, Tim Wakefield has been on a roll of late, and hopes to continue baffling hitters with his signature knuckler.