The streets of Boston are filled with joy, not only because of the St. Patty’s day season but because they are ranked one better than the Yankees on The [Five]’s 30 Clubs in 30 Days Countdown! A dynamite rotation, capable bullpen, and a batting order that can swing with the best of them will lead the Bo Sox to an AL East division championship in 2011.
No.2 Boston Red Sox
Projected Rotation
- Jon Lester-LHP
Jonathan Papelbon // Photo: swamigp.wordpress.com
- John Lackey-RHP
- Clay Bucholz-RHP
- Josh Beckett-RHP
- Daisuke Matsuzaka-RHP
Projected Bullpen
- Jonathon Papelbon-RHP
- Daniel bard-RHP
- Bobby Jenks-RHP
- Dan Wheeler-RHP
- Tim Wakefield-RHP
- Scott Atchison-RHP
- Hideki Okajima-LHP
- Dennys Reyes-LHP
Projected Lineup
- CF Jacoby Ellsbury
- 2B Dustin Pedroia
- LF Carl Crawford
- 1B Adrian Gonzalez
- 3B Kevin Youkillis
- DH David Ortiz
- RF J.D. Drew
- C Jarrod Saltalamacchia (Spelled it right on the first try! Suck it!)
- SS Marco Scutaro
Analysis
The Bo Sox made some moves in the off-season, for premier outfielder Carl Crawford, and former No.1 overall draft pick Adrian Gonzalez. Crawford has been Mr. Everything throughout his career and Gonzo had an amazing offensive year despite playing in the hitters’ nightmare that is Petco Park. However, letting Adrian Beltre get away was a mistake that will haunt them all season.
Beltre came off the worst years of his career with the Mariners (wow that’s a shocker) and was a dark horse MVP candidate last season. The Sox let him jump ship to Texas and will be replacing him with Youkillis. That is not an adequate adjustment and Beltre is at least one tier above Youk overall. That being said the Red Sox still have the best team in the AL East.
David Ortiz // Photo: fineartamerica.com
Big Papi bounced back and had a fantastic second half in 2010, and if Ellsbury can make a successful recovery from injury the Sox will have one of the scariest tops of the order in baseball.
Aiding in the quest to bring the division title back to Boston is an unflappable rotation that’s only superior is the team we’re still yet to rank. Lester is the pre-season favorite for the AL Cy Young, Bucholz solidified himself as a top tier starter last season, and Beckett, Daisuke, and Lackey round out the rotation to make it one of the most talented in baseball.
If all stay healthy for the Bo Sox in 2011 they will be a tough team to beat, the only glaring concern is the bullpen. Papelbon is coming off the worst year of his career and there’s not much to speak of in the way of dominant setup men.
It’s a very righty-dominated bullpen with a lack of power. Bobby Jenks was brought in to help fill the void but his best days are behind him, and Wakefield is a ways past his prime as well.
Bullpen aside this team has the potential to play deep into October, but a tough road awaits them in baseball’s hardest division. Don’t count out the Sox in 2011, they’ve regrouped and are poised to make a run at it.
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