The Red Sox Strike
the Right Balance
As a Yankee fan it pained me to watch the Boston Red Sox win
the World Series last year. What I’m about to say however will pain me even
more. They are primed to do it again. The Red Sox have constructed a roster
that is the perfect mix of championship winning veterans and young prospects
ready to grab the spotlight.
Led by Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz, the Red Sox are
always a favorite, as long as Bobby Valentine isn’t managing. Mike Napoli and
Shane Victorino are back from last season and Victorino is completely healed
and can actually bat lefty against right handed pitchers again. Joining them is
A.J. Pierzynski, a very underrated catcher and locker room influence. Also,
Will Middlebrooks at third base can be a monster if he stays healthy, his main
problem thus far in his career.
The main piece on this team who is ready to become the next
Red Sox player hated by all of the Bronx is Xander Bogaerts. Bogaerts got the
call up last season and showed flashes of brilliance, especially in the
playoffs. With a full season of at bats, he could very well be the Rookie of
the Year.
On the pitching front Boston has a very good rotation but
they will need them to stay healthy. If that can happen then Boston will easily
win the AL East. Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz are the 1 and 2 top of the
rotation bulldogs who have pitched in many a big game and do not shy away from
the spotlight. The bullpen is solid although I don’t think Chris Capuano will
last long. There’s not much left in that tank and it will show. Koji Uehara had
a coming out party in 2013 and showed he could handle the closer duties,
especially in the postseason. There’s no reason to believe 2014 isn’t going to
be a repeat performance.
The 2014 Red Sox, barring a plague taking over the clubhouse
will see postseason action again. An improved Yankee team and a very underrated
Tampa team will be breathing down their necks all season and make it a fun
watch but there’s enough here to lock up a spot.
We will be back tomorrow with a look at the offensively
improved San Francisco Giants. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @changingspeeds
for all our coverage of the national pastime.
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