Manny Ramirez has looked locked in since spring training. He's batting .300 with 12 RBI.

Then there is J.D. Drew (.353), Kevin Youkilis (.341) and Sean Casey (.318).

David Ortiz goes in a slump and Mike Lowell goes on the DL. Others are coming through.

Ortiz should be back in the lineup tonight in Cleveland (against crafty Jake Westbrook). If body language tells you any thing, Ortiz is ready to break it open. Sunday's day off seemed to take so much pressure off him.

And make no doubt: Despite the efforts of Ramires, Drew, Youkilis and Casey, the Red Sox need their Papi.

Everyone says a slump can end with one solid hit. We'll see.

We will also see what Jon Lester can do tonight. The Red Sox have a suggestion: throw strikes. Command has always been a question, and Lester has thrown 16 innings in three games.

With the bullpen getting gassed, Boston could use Lester to go into the seventh inning.

Jacoby Ellsbury certainly looks exciting in that lead-off role. But Coco Crisp (.323) is doing all he can to stay in the lineup.

Interesting stat from last night. Red Sox reliever Mike Timlin is 42. Yankees starter Phil Hughes is half that, at 21. Trouble for both is that they both looked their age Sunday night.

Any time Timlin strings together a couple of bad outings (and he has been bad), his age will always come into question.

Hughes may need a trip back to Triple-A to get it right.

And one pitching note from the Sea Dogs. There is no hiding the Red Sox enthusiasm over lefty Dusty Rishardson. He carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning Sunday. He's 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA.

Everyone talks about Justin Masterson and Michael Bowden ... Look out for Richardson.

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