Big Papi Not So Big and Scary

Fans at Nationals Park -- and I assume a hefty contingent of them will again be Red Sox supporter -- will get a chance to see David Ortiz tonight. For the last six season, Ortiz, who did not play last night, has been one of the most consistent forces in Boston's line up. Reliable. Powerful. Scary. But he is not having one of those seasons. In 263 at-bats this season, he has only six home runs and 30 RBI. His vision has been checked, and he has been demoted in Boston's batting order. Reports out of Boston have characterized his struggles as a "season-long slump." There might be one small sign of promise for Ortiz. Against reliever Ron Villone, Ortiz is hitting a career .500 (4 for 8) with one home run and three RBI. Granted, that is not many at-bats. But Ortiz's success rate is pretty high in that (link)