Boston Red Sox Predictions / 2010 Season Preview

2010 MLB Predictions/Previews: Boston Red Sox

Hard to believe, as many of us watch the snow fall outside, that the Boys of Summer are almost back. But it’s true; pitchers and catchers have reported to 2010 Major League Baseball training camps and it’s time to start our team-by-team baseball gambling previews for the year.

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MLB Team Preview – Boston Red Sox

“Your move, Boston.”

That’s essentially the message the New York Yankees delivered so resoundingly in 2009, loading up with mega-signings and crusading to their first World Series title in a decade. For the first time in years, the Boston Red Sox found themselves behind the eight ball. It was Theo Epstein`s job to reload and retool in the offseason and prepare Beantown for a Clash of the Titans in 2010. Did he succeed?

In terms of Boston’s ability to keep opponents off the board, the answer is yes. The Red Sox arguably have the American League’s top pitching rotation entering 2010. Josh Beckett is firmly established as an ace and big-game pitcher, even if 2009 wasn’t his best year. Jon Lester took another huge leap forward and I wonder if the power lefty is actually Boston’s best pitcher of all. Clay Buchholz has all the tools to become an All-Star starter too and his sparkling September last season (4-1, 2.87 ERA) suggests he could break out this season. As if Boston didn’t have enough arms, they locked down a monopoly by inking rock-solid John Lackey in the offseason. All that and we haven’t even touched on Dice-K’s potential to rebound from injury.

That’s not the only way Boston will keep teams from scoring this season. There’s the bullpen, of course, anchored by Wildman Jonathan Papelbon and setup man Hideki Okajima. But, in my opinion, Boston’s most significant offseason improvement is on defense. Newcomers Adrian Beltre (third base), Mike Cameron (center field), and Marco Scutaro have all played stellar defense throughout their careers. Adding them to a group that already includes Gold Glovers Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis may give Boston baseball’s best defense.

It feels weird to say it, but hitting is where things may actually get dicey for Boston this season. It’s not that the BoSox don’t have significant pop and on-base ability. Pedroia is a former MVP, Youkilis is among the AL’s toughest outs, and Victor Martinez is one of the rare catchers who routinely churns out 100-RBI seasons. But the truth is that Boston doesn’t have a Murderer’s Row to match the Yankees anymore. Five years ago, it had Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz. Now Ortiz is inching toward his forties and, more importantly, Boston failed to retain the guy who capably replaced Manny over the last two years: Jason Bay.

Losing Bay’s middle-of-the-order power could be costly. As much as Ellsbury, Pedroia and even Scutaro should set the table, are newcomers like Beltre and Cameron locks to drive them in? Hey – maybe I’m just viewing the glass as half-empty. Most baseball bettors and pundits would agree that pitching and defense more consistently win championships, and the Red Sox have that in spades. They also still have plenty of solid bats – probably two or three All-Stars.

The Red Sox are clearly a powerhouse and should win 85-90 games in their sleep this season. However, while Epstein shored up the “D,” he didn’t retool Boston to match New York’s – or maybe even Tampa Bay’s – power. For that reason, I see a Wildcard battle with Tampa, not an AL East crown, in the cards for Boston this season.

Red Sox Prediction: Second, American League East

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