Here's my first post, just trying things out. I guess I'll lay out my most basic predictions for what I think is going to happen this season. Essentially, this will be the first season in years that the Red Sox will be feeling the heat from two teams in the AL East instead of just one; this offseason, the Blue Jays have dramatically improve their club with the signings of BJ Ryan, A.J. Burnett, and Benjie Molina and trades for Troy Glaus and Lyle Overbay. At the same time, the Yankees - relatively quiet for most of the offseason - needed only one move to just about crush the Sox's chances of taking the AL East title this season: the free agent signing of Johnny Damon. Not only does this move dramatically improve the Yankee's lineup by giving them a true leadoff hitter and allowing Jeter to settle into his more natural #2 spot, but it damages the Sox by taking that element out of their game; Coco Crisp (Damon's replacement at center and leadoff), while talented, batted behind Grady Sizemore in the Indians lineup last season, and has an aggressive style at the plate that may not suit the Red Sox lead-off slot very well.
One thing the Red Sox can boast of is strong, deep pitching. Deeper, even, than the Yankees stacked staff. The Yank's squad may have bigger names, but there are far more questions in the Yankee's starting rotation - will Randy Johnson and Mike Mussina stand the test of time? Can Jaret Wright and Carl Pavano stay healthy all season? Can Shawn Chacon - who went 1-7 with the Rockies in the first part of '05 - maintain the momentum he gained when he joined New york, going 7-3 in the second half? The only two questions about the Red Sox starters will be 1) Can Curt Schilling stay healthy? and, 2) Will Terry Francona ever be able to figure out who gets sent to the 'pen?
Ok, maybe there are actually 2.5 questions. There is still the issue of Josh Beckett's sore shoulder and blister problem. However, I count this as only half a problem because he's a young pitcher coming into his prime with the Red Sox; he's proven he can do big things and this season he will suffer almost zero pressure within the deep Sox rotation. He's all upside. Even if he doesn't reach 200 innings, 165 Beckett-esque innings will be worth it (not to mention the fact that it will give Jonathan Papelbon a few starts to prove himself during).
So, the Sox might give their division rivals some trouble at the plate, but the Yankee's offense will blow the Sox away. And a spending spree in Toronto, an ever-pesty Oriole squad, and a Devil Ray's team that has the potential to surprise us all and take the Wild Card, the Red Sox are sure to have their share of problems making it to the playoffs in '06.But, after all of that, I still have to say that the Red Sox will once again go against the odds and take it all. If I didn't say that, I wouldn't be a true Sox fan.
-Chris
P.S. -> This blog will not only be my opinions about the Red Sox. They're my favorite team, so of course my first post had to focus of them, but I fully intend to write about all of MLB and baseball in general (including the upcoming World Baseball Classic). Here's what you'll find in this blog, in order from least common: Amateur Baseball, International Baseball, Professional Baseball, Major-League Baseball, MLB-American League, AL East, Boston Red Sox.
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