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2008 MLB
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2008 Boston Red Sox Predictions
There’s
no sense in beating around
the bush. Jimmy Boyd’s
2008 Boston Red Sox
predictions see Bean
Town among baseball’s best
again. I picked the Red Sox
to win it all last season
and they did not let me
down. It wasn’t too long ago
when Boston was seen in the
same light as the Cubs –
clubs destined to lose by
supernatural forces. But now
Boston is clearly the cream
of the crop with titles in
the 2004 and 2007 seasons.
Starting Rotation/Bullpen
Boston’s offense may be one
of the best in baseball, but
it all starts with the
pitching for this team. Josh
Beckett was the only 20-game
winner in 2007 and further
solidified his reputation as
a master in big games with
his 4-0 record and 1.17 ERA
in the playoffs. The Sox are
expecting more from Daisuke
Matsuzaka in 2008. A 15-12
record with a 4.40 ERA and
201 strikeouts is better
than several number ones
across the league, but
Boston sees way more
potential in this kid.
Schilling is getting up
there in years and health is
somewhat of a concern, but
how could you not retain a
guy that is 11-2 with a 2.23
ERA in the postseason. And
I’m going to go out on a
limb and say that Tim
Wakefield is the most
underrated pitcher in
baseball. He is third on
Boston’s career wins list
behind Roger Clemens and Cy
Young. Left hander Jon
Lester won the World Series
clincher for the Sox and is
the necessary lefty in the
starting rotation. As far as
the pen goes, in just two
seasons Jonathan Papelbon
has become one of the game’s
elite closers. He has a .889
save percentage and averages
11.3 strikeouts per nine
innings. Hideki Okajima was
nearly as valuable as a
setup man with his 27 holds
– third in the AL.
Batting Order
Jacoby Ellsbury is expected
to lead off for the Sox in
2008. He batted .364 in 132
at bats for them last season
after being called up from
triple-A Pawtucket. He also
gives this power-heavy
lineup a speed threat to
rely on. Dustin Pedroia will
fill the two-hole as the
reigning AL Rookie of the
Year. I'm expecting a big
season number two from this
youngster as his confidence
continues to grow. David
Ortiz had an off year in
2007, if I can even say
that. He still had 35
homeruns and 117 RBIs. Big
Papi is showing no signs of
major declines and will be
among the best AL sluggers
in 2008. Last season was the
first year that Manny
Ramirez failed to reach
totals of 30 homeruns and
100 RBIs since 1997. I
expect him to eclipse both
of those marks this year.
Not enough can be said about
World Series MVP Mike Lowell
who batted .324 and belted
120 RBIs. Both were career
bests. J.D. Drew, Kevin
Youkilis, Jason Varitek, and
Julio Lugo will round out
the order. I'm not a big
J.D. Drew fan and I still
think the Sox gave too much
for him. Boston boys love
Varitek and what's not to
love. Good catchers behind
the plate rarely swing a
stick the way this guy does.
The Red Sox are one of the
most complete teams in
baseball and now appear to
have the Yankees’ number. We
feel Boston will win the AL
East in 2008 and be one of
the top contenders for the
World Series.
Jimmy Boyd is coming off the
best MLB season of his
career, profiting premium
clients over 5000 units. Get
ready for more of the same
in 2008 with the best big
league bopper in the game.
Odds to win AL East:
10/11
Odds to win 2008 AL Pennant:
11/5
Odds to win 2008 World
Series:
7/2
Other Predictions for the 2008 Season:
Updated February 12th, 2008
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