by TheTruth

Created on: April 15, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

With an arguably much improved American League East, nothing will be a given for the Red Sox this season and they have a lot to prove. With almost 2 weeks of the regular season under their belt, the Sox have so far had trouble getting into a real routine. This is most likely because of the extensive travel starting a season in Japan and then Canada before returning home to Boston.

Breaking down the lineup, the vast majority of their world championship team is returning. The only real questions are who will be the every day center fielder once the season gets really into full swing, and can David Ortiz's surgically repaired knee hold up to the rigor of playing a full season? Other than those two question marks, the lineup looks solid, with Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis anchoring an excellent infield. Mike Lowell's contract renewal will only benefit the Sox, and the addition of Sean Casey to the lineup may very well be one of the best off season moves of any team in the league for a position player. Jason Varitek will help anchor what should prove to be an overall pretty effective pitching rotation.

The pitching rotation seems solid on paper, but there are some questions that remain to be answered. Obviously expectations are sky high for aces Josh Beckett and Daisuke Matsuzaka and they will be expected to do big things for the team, but there is question as to how much unproven youngsters like Jon Lester and Clay Bucholz can really do to help this team win many games. Tim Wakefield should be his normal steady self and fans should expect normal Wakefield numbers. Another question is that if and when Bartolo Colon gets the call up the big league club, who will be replaced in the rotation and where and when will Colon fit in?

The bullpen once again is a solid bunch, anchored by super relievers Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon. One man that should get a lot of buzz this season is Mike Timlin and possibly Manny Delcarmen as well since both of these righties will have a lot to prove this year in their respective set up roles. The only question that lingers in the bullpen is if they can all remain healthy. If they can, then this should be a stellar year for the Sox because they'll have so much support in every possible area.

These questions will all need to be answered before the All Star break if the Red Sox have any chance of repeating their title hopes in 2008, but for this team with this talented roster, the sky is truly the limit.

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