The All Star break is over and the Red Sox sit atop the AL East with a 54-34 record–best in the American League. Projected to a 162-game season that comes to a 99 to 100 win season. If all goes according to script, the Sox then have their annual showdown (showoff?) with the Angels followed by an ALCS series with the Tigers or Yankees or, better yet, the Rays again. New England being New England, deep down Red Sox Nation expects:
1.) Sleet in July;
2.) Snow in August;
3.) Some sort of disaster to befall the Red Sox.
These worries aren’t necessarily realistic but given the 82 years leading up to the 2004 World Series, the attitude is understandable. Disturbingly, the Sox are still a team in the making and more roster moves are coming. Let’s go down the list and see what is in store for the Sox.
-Catcher: Jason Varitek has been a pleasant surprise with the bat this year and while he is arguably the best pitcher’s catcher in the game, the future is George Kottaras. Look to see more of Kottaras as the season progresses.
-Infield: The Sox infield is chaos, pure and simple. Let’s get the easy one out of the way: Dustin Pedroia is short on stature but long on talent and will take care of second base for years to come. The rest of the diamond is murkier. Third base would normally belong to Mike Lowell and an in ideal world, Lowell would be the Sox third baseman for years to come. But, let’s face it, Mike is not a young man and I think his hip will be problematic for the foreseeable future. For now, pencil Kevin Youklis into the position. Youklis provides gold glove fielding at either of the corners and is a terror at the plate. With Youklis at third, first base duties fall on Mark Kotsay platooning with Aaron Bates. The silver lining with Lowell’s injury is that the opportunity is presented to bring along Bates who looks to figure heavily in the Sox future. The only real concern is not moving him along too quickly.
Shortstop is a festering sore for the Red Sox. Julio Lugo has never lived up to the hype or his big salary. Jed Lowrie figured to be the Sox’ main guy at short till he went down with knee problems. The good news has been journeyman Nick Green who has blossomed to provide clutch hitting and solid fielding. After stints with five different teams over the past five years, Green has at a minimum insured himself that he has a job with somebody down the road. For now, with Lowrie coming back look to see Green and Lowrie platooned. If Lowrie is healthy, Lugo or Green will be trade-bait.
-Outfield: As chaotic as the infield is, the outfield is a paragon of stability. Jason Bay in left has made us all forget Manny and is so happy in Boston that the Canadian went out and learned who was next in line to the presidency after Joe Biden (hint: she is Speaker of the House) and became a US citizen. J D Drew is solid in right when he’s healthy and Jacobi Ellsbury in center keeps getting better.
-Pitching: The Red Sox pitching staff is an embarrassment of riches (though some of those riches are embarrassing). John Smolz is an intriguing addition to the staff and figures to be a contributor if he can remain healthy. Brad Penny has surprised me and he is a solid fourth man in the rotation. What can you say about Josh Beckett and Jon Lester that hasn’t been said already? All-Star Tim Wakefield at 42 years young is almost a Cinderella story and with his rubber arm looks to be around for a few more years yet. Waiting in the wings is Clay Buckholz (scheduled to start tomorrow night in Toronto). Daniel Bard, Ramon Ramirez, Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon head up a terrific bullpen. Disappointment: What’s the story with Daisuke Matsuzaka? The rest: Justin Masterson and Manny Delcarmen haven’t looked real good of late but they’ll come around.
-Designated Hitter: David Ortiz has been the biggest puzzle of all. He’s come on strong the past month and I hope he is all the way back. That is an unanswered question at this point.
Terry Francona deserves a lot of credit for managing this team. I think that not only will it not snow in August. we will see this team gel into something special in the coming months. Will the Sox be in the World Series this year? I think it’s fair to say that the Red Sox have more potential than any other team in the league. It’s also fair to say that come October, any club can catch lightening in a bottle.
It’ll be a fun trip. In the coming weeks, I want to look back at some of the Red Sox moments of the past as well…be sure to share your own stories.
