2012 Boston Red Sox Predictions
After acquiring Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez, the Boston Red Sox looked like the team to beat in the American League. That was not case.
The Red Sox overcame a 2-10 start and were 83-52 in late August but then fell apart. They blew a nine-game wild card lead with a 7-19 collapse and were eliminated from the playoffs on the final day of the season by the last place Baltimore Orioles.
The aftermath was ugly. Reports surfaced about Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and John Lackey drinking beer in the clubhouse during games. The team also parted ways with manager Terry Francona and general manager Theo Epstein.
Bobby Valentine is the new skipper and Ben Cherington has assumed Epstein’s spot. Only time will tell if these two have what it takes to get the Red Sox back to the top of the division.
Projected Pitching: Lester (15-9, 3.47 ERA) led the team in wins but will be remembered for his September production, or should I say lack there of (1-3, 5.40 ERA). Beckett went 13-7 and had a team-best 2.89 ERA but really should have ended up better after a blazing start.
The team really missed Clay Buchholz down the stretch. He suffered a stress fracture in his back in June and never returned. He was 6-3 with a 3.48 ERA before going on the disabled list.
These three make up a solid top of the rotation but the bottom is far from settled. Right now, it looks like Daniel Bard and Alfredo Aceves could round it out.
Bard went 2-9 last season but had a respectable 3.33 ERA. Aceves went 10-2 with a 2.61 ERA.
With Jonathan Papelbon, who recorded 219 saves from 2006-2011, off to Philadelphia, the Red Sox will need to find an answer in the ninth. Andrew Bailey, who has 75 saves since 2009, is the favorite to land the job.
Projected Lineup: Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia has all the tools to be an All-Star but is yet to put it all together. He batted .235 with 16 home runs and 56 RBIs but faded badly down the stretch with a .191 average in August and September.
Few had doubts about Gonzalez because of his production at pitcher-friendly Petco Park. The first baseman wasted no time making his mark in the AL, hitting .338 with 27 home runs and 117 RBIs in his first season in Bean Town.
Second baseman Dustin Pedroia is coming off another strong campaign. He hit .307 with 21 round trippers and 91 RBIs.
Kevin Youkilis will be back at the hot corner after missing action last season with a sports hernia. He had 17 jacks and 80 RBIs before going on the shelf.
Nick Punto is expected to join “Youks” on the left side of the infield. He hit .278 last season for the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals.
David Ortiz proved he’s still one of the best designated hitters in the game after batting .309 with 29 home runs and 96 RBIs.
The outfield is anchored by center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, who is coming off a breakout season. He finished second to Detroit’s Justin Verlander in MVP voting after hitting .321 with 32 home runs and 105 RBIs.
The Sox expect, and need, a lot more from $142 million man Crawford in left and at the plate.
Cody Ross could be the answer in right field. He earned a lot of respect for his performance in the 2010 NLCS when he helped the San Francisco Giants defeat the Phillies. He was named MVP of the series.
Prediction – 2nd Place AL East: The Red Sox should be motivated following last season’s embarrassing collapse. I expect them to enter the season with a renewed sense of focus. MLB odds makers have listed the Red Sox at +325 to win the AL East.
