by Matthew Bane

Created on: February 13, 2007   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

I live in Indiana, but still watch any Red Sox game I can. I look forward to this season for 2 major reasons.
1) Many of the position players from last season will be taking the field at Fenway once again. Most of the lineup remains intact in the field, with small additions. I personally like the signing of J.D. Drew, he is a solid outfielder and good hitter. Despite skeptisism about his ability to avoid injury, I expect him to have a healthy complete season and contribute to the Sox already potent offense. Manny and David Ortiz will be there like they can always be counted on to be. Most importantly, last seson's bitter taste is still in the offence's mouth; I expect them to play with a chip on their shoulder to redeem last years dismal 3rd place finish in the East.

2) But more importantly to me, the pitching rotation. I am a pitching fan, I love to watch a good pitcher do his job. And on a team like the Red Sox, I get to watch a good performance the majority of the time. With the signing of Daisuke Matsuzuka, the rotation should be strengthened even more. I still am slightly uneasy about his ability to perform in the MLB the same way he did in Japan, but I hope he is just as dominating in Boston. With the return of Clement, Schilling, and Beckett, and the addition of former closer Jon Papelbon as a starter to fill the previosly shaky 5 spot, the rotation looks to be strong from top to bottom. If the pitching can stay healthy, a task it failed to accomlish last season, it will be one of the best in the bigs. The pitching staff is overflowing with talent, so much that I don't even know where the Sox management will fit Tim Wakefiled into the equation. I also look for young arms like Kyle Snyder, Jon Lester, and Manny DelCarmen to have strong performances this season.
Overall, look for the Red Sox to be a serious contender in the East and all of the AL this season barring injury.

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