2011 Boston Red Sox Predictions
After three straight seasons of 95 wins or more, the Boston Red Sox took a step back in 2010 with only 89 victories. GM Theo Epstein has, however, taken several steps to make sure Bean Town returns to the top of the league.
Pitching: Southpaw Jon Lester and righty Clay Buchholz make up one of the best one-two punches in baseball at the top of the Red Sox rotation. Lester and Buchholz combined to win 36 games last season. We can expect these two returning All-Stars to get it done once again in 2011, but the rest of the staff will likely decide whether Boston can get back to the top of the East.
The Red Sox could use a bounce back campaign from former ace Josh Beckett. An injury riddled season resulted in the worst numbers of his career. John Lackey was also a disappointment in 2010, but the Sox are holding onto hope that he can pitch like he did for the Angles in 2009.
The fifth starting position will likely be held by Daisuka Matsuzaka, who also must perform better. He went 9-6 with a 4.69 ERA a season ago.
Perhaps the biggest reason the Sox fell to third in the AL East in 2010 was the bullpen. Epstein has done his best to make sure that doesn’t happen again. He brought in former White Sox closer Bobby Jenks and Rays setup man Dan Wheeler to combine with Daniel Bard and Jonathan Papelbon.
Lineup: The Red Sox made some major noise this offseason by adding Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford to the lineup. These additions could end up being what sets the Sox apart in the East. Crawford, who hit .307 with 19 home runs, 90 RBIs and 47 stolen bases for Tampa Bay last season, will combine with Jacoby Ellsbury to form one of the best outfield pairings in baseball. Gonzalez is coming off a season in which he hit .298 with 31 jacks and 101 RBIs for San Diego. His numbers could get even better away from pitcher-friendly Petco and with plenty of protection in the lineup.
You’ll find Kevin Youkilis across the diamond from Gonzalez at the other corner. The perennial MVP candidate hit .307 with 19 bombs and 62 RBIs in only 102 games last season. Joining Youks on the infield is former AL MVP Dustin Pedroia, who is perhaps the best second baseman in the game. Like Youks, he’ll be hungry to put up some big numbers following an injury-shortened season.
David Ortiz will fill the DH hole after bouncing back from a slow start to 2010 to hit 32 round trippers and drive in 102 runs. J.D. Drew should take right field and Jared Saltalamacchia is expected to continue his transition to full-time catcher. Marco Scutaro and Jed Lowrie will battle for the shortstop spot.
Prediction – 1st Place AL East: By bringing in Crawford and Gonzalaz and shoring up the bullpen, the Red Sox have established themselves as the team to beat in the East. MLB odds makers have listed the Red Sox at -150 to win the AL East.
