Manny Ramirez now sits but one homerun away from historic No. 500 following last night’s opposite field shot off Seattle’s Miguel Batista. There is almost no question the legendary long ball will occur at some point this season, but there is, however, the question of who will serve it up. Call me crazy to assume a future first ballot Hall of Fame player is capable of going yard in virtually every plate appearance, but I feel Manny’s next homer is to come in the very near future – in fact, by Monday.

 

Ramirez and his Sox will face struggling ace Erik Bedard in Seattle tonight. In 20 career at bats Manny has mere 4 hits, coupled with an uncommon 8 strikeouts. After three pretty bad starts I feel Bedard will regain his dominant mechanics en route to staving off Manny’s 500th.

 

Following a day off Thursday, the weekend brings the BoSox to Baltimore where they’re to tentatively face Daniel Cabrera, Steve Trachsel, Garrett Olson and Brian Burress in the four game series.

 

Cabrera, too, has held Ramirez homerless. Manny is 3 for 13 (all singles) with 3 RBIs lifetime against Cabrera. But Cabrera (who has been fairly nasty on the mound this in ’08) is coming off one of his worst starts of the season where he gave up 4 runs over 5 2/3 innings. 500 could happen Friday, but unlikely at the hands of Daniel Cabrera.

 

Manny has better luck against Steve Trachsel, who he’s logged 15 career ABs against. He’s managed to hit .333 off the veteran with a homerun, 6 RBIs and – possibly an allusion of near four baggers – a whopping 4 doubles. If No. 500 comes off a starter, my money is on Trachsel.

 

As is the case with smaller sample sizes, there’s no much to be assumed about Ramirez taking cuts against Sunday’s starter Garrett Olson or Monday’s Brian Burress. Olsen has held Man-Ram hitless with a walk and a K in 3 career plate appearances; Burress has surrendered but a single to him in 4 at bats. However, Burress did give up four taters to the Yankees in a mere 3 2/3 innings outing last night. If Trachsel (or a preceding day’s reliever) doesn’t give up 500, Burress has a definite chance.

Manny is 0 for 1 lifetime with 4 BB against Orioles closer George Sherrill and has never faced Baltimore relievers Lance Cormier and Dennis Sarfate.