pitching alone may carry them.
beckett
matsusaka
lester
all have what it takes to win 20.
add in
Penny, suppose to be in good shape.. signed a 1 year.. should be up to task.
smoltz, ageless veteran..
wakefiled, good pitcher to eat up innings and quality starts.
bullpen is solid with Materson, Paps, Okejema(sp)..
Not to mention how good they play at home..
I think the number is right where is should be.
beckett
matsusaka
lester
all have what it takes to win 20.
add in
Penny, suppose to be in good shape.. signed a 1 year.. should be up to task.
smoltz, ageless veteran..
wakefiled, good pitcher to eat up innings and quality starts.
bullpen is solid with Materson, Paps, Okejema(sp)..
Not to mention how good they play at home..
I think the number is right where is should be.
extremely deep pitching
starters
1 Beckett
2 Dice-K
3 Lester
4 Wakefield
5 Masterson
6 Penny ( will be in rotation if healthy)
7 Smoltz ( will be in rotation 2nd half of season when healthy)
8 Bucholz
9 Bowden
good set up men
Saito
Okajima
Masterson
Declamaren
Lopez
Ramirez ( guy they got from KC for coco crisp)
closer
Papelbom
rotation 2nd half of season/playoffs could be
Beckett
Dice-K
Lester
Smoltz
Penny
that is very, very strong. Smoltz is wowing them so far.
bullpen is very deep
probably the best pitching in their history. And they have prospects like Bucholz and Bowden to fill in starts for an injury here or there
offense could use a lift, dont look down on it though, its good. and they may trade for a big bat in season. they are not overspent.
this could be their best team ever
starters
1 Beckett
2 Dice-K
3 Lester
4 Wakefield
5 Masterson
6 Penny ( will be in rotation if healthy)
7 Smoltz ( will be in rotation 2nd half of season when healthy)
8 Bucholz
9 Bowden
good set up men
Saito
Okajima
Masterson
Declamaren
Lopez
Ramirez ( guy they got from KC for coco crisp)
closer
Papelbom
rotation 2nd half of season/playoffs could be
Beckett
Dice-K
Lester
Smoltz
Penny
that is very, very strong. Smoltz is wowing them so far.
bullpen is very deep
probably the best pitching in their history. And they have prospects like Bucholz and Bowden to fill in starts for an injury here or there
offense could use a lift, dont look down on it though, its good. and they may trade for a big bat in season. they are not overspent.
this could be their best team ever
injuries to Lowell and Drew could kill them.
could be a great year or a bad one. but the pitching is way better than Ive ever seen them have, especially in front of Papelbon in the bullpen.
they have a lot of guys in the pen who can hold leads and get games to Papelbon. Saito in particular is nasty. They say he is healthy.
they were about 95-96 wins last year. should be about the same. but could go bust instead if they get a lot of injuries.
could be a great year or a bad one. but the pitching is way better than Ive ever seen them have, especially in front of Papelbon in the bullpen.
they have a lot of guys in the pen who can hold leads and get games to Papelbon. Saito in particular is nasty. They say he is healthy.
they were about 95-96 wins last year. should be about the same. but could go bust instead if they get a lot of injuries.
Division getting tougher.....used to be TB was a joke, now they are right there with NY and Bos.
One of the young starters will have to fill the 5 slot, no manny, and Ortiz had a horrible year. Varitek's bat and defense has slipped, Lowell is old, and having 2 SS's means you don't have one.
Perdroia and Youkillis are studs. I like bay. They are weaker vs left handed starters.
I think they'll need to have the best team era in the AL and full seasons from Lowell and Varitek to win 90.
I decided to respond before reading what the other responses said. I'm sorry my responses weren't breaking new ground.
No. I don't think they'll get to 95.
They'll miss
One of the young starters will have to fill the 5 slot, no manny, and Ortiz had a horrible year. Varitek's bat and defense has slipped, Lowell is old, and having 2 SS's means you don't have one.
Perdroia and Youkillis are studs. I like bay. They are weaker vs left handed starters.
I think they'll need to have the best team era in the AL and full seasons from Lowell and Varitek to win 90.
I decided to respond before reading what the other responses said. I'm sorry my responses weren't breaking new ground.
No. I don't think they'll get to 95.
They'll miss
I think this a great under bet if you dont mind waiting that long to get paid.
Beckett could be a stud again but he wasnt last year, you cant guarantee he`ll be awesome this year.
Dice K - I think he`ll be right up there and is the safest bet to be their best pitcher this year.
Lester - Im far from sold on this guy, I think he may have had a career year last season. Not to say he`ll be awful but I think people are over rating him at the moment.
The bullpen is rock solid tho, I think its the best in the division.
Then the hitting is down, Papi is past his best, question marks with Lowell. Youkilis is ok, Bay is very good, Ellsbury is a nice lead off guy, Drew cant stay healthy and Varitek cant hit his weight. In the middle infield, Pedroia is one of the best 2b in the league but then at ss they dont have much.
Overall I think this team would do exceptionally well and have everything go right to get to 95 wins this division. I just cant see it and as a pick em bet I LOVE the under.
Beckett could be a stud again but he wasnt last year, you cant guarantee he`ll be awesome this year.
Dice K - I think he`ll be right up there and is the safest bet to be their best pitcher this year.
Lester - Im far from sold on this guy, I think he may have had a career year last season. Not to say he`ll be awful but I think people are over rating him at the moment.
The bullpen is rock solid tho, I think its the best in the division.
Then the hitting is down, Papi is past his best, question marks with Lowell. Youkilis is ok, Bay is very good, Ellsbury is a nice lead off guy, Drew cant stay healthy and Varitek cant hit his weight. In the middle infield, Pedroia is one of the best 2b in the league but then at ss they dont have much.
Overall I think this team would do exceptionally well and have everything go right to get to 95 wins this division. I just cant see it and as a pick em bet I LOVE the under.
