Will Big Papi's Knee Crush Red Sox Dreams?

It has been disclosed during the All-Star Break that David "Big Papi" Ortiz of the Red Sox has an injured right knee. So far it looks like Boston's biggest slugger will wait until the off-season to get it repaired, but what does that mean for the second half of the 2007 season? With any luck, the Red Sox will keep on rolling in the American League East and grab an easy playoff berth. However, a less than healthy Ortiz may mean a quick exit and no return to the Fall Classic in October.

What has been alarming for several weeks now is the lack of power this year from David Ortiz. With only 14 homers at the Break, Papi is far off his pace of last year when he set the Red Sox single season record with 54 Home Runs. The theories as to the power drought have ranged from the loss of Ron "Papa Jack" Jackson as hitting coach, to the lack of protection from slumping sluggers Manny Ramirez and JD Drew.

All season long David Ortiz has complained about not getting any pitches to hit, a situation exacerbated by a relatively toothless Ramirez. Papi's frustration is clearly visible, as he has been arguing balls and strikes in nearly every at-bat. However a look at Ortiz' mid-season batting average (.314) and OBP (.434) show that he is not struggling in the traditional sense. But the fact of so few home runs at this point combined with 29 doubles - Ortiz hit that many all last year - demonstrate that Bib Papi is not driving the ball as he should.

Overall David Ortiz has some decent numbers at the All-Star Break, so at least there is nothing wrong with his eyes or bat speed. However, the announcement that Ortiz has an injured right knee explains why he cannot seem to drive the ball. Take away a power hitter's legs and you will see a lot of doubles that should be home runs. Now give that injured power hitter no protection behind him in the lineup and the equation is simple: no legs plus no protection equals no Big in Big Papi.

So where does this leave the Red Sox in 2007? Well is almost a lock that Boston will wrap up the American League East, especially if their starting rotation and bullpen stay the course. The entire Western Hemisphere is waiting for Manny Ramirez to heat up and Boston is wondering who the real JD Drew is. Coco Crisp is starting to earn his keep offensively and Mike Lowell is looking for a big payday come free agency. The weapons are there to keep the Red Sox alive if Papi fails as captain clutch this postseason, at least on paper. If things stay the way they are and Papi is counted on to carry an underachieving offense into the playoffs, then World Series dreams may end very, very quickly.