The Red Sox, due to their superior pitching talent, good hitting, and improved bullpen, will start strong and get an early lead on the Yankees. They should be able to comfortably maintain this lead through the early portion of the season, particularly since their main rivals - the Yankees - did little to nothing to improve their pitching.

Depending on the timing of "Manny being Injured Manny", and other wear and tear on the team, particularly concerning David Ortiz's knee, and the predictable slump of Dice K and perhaps even Shilling putting strain on the bullpen, the Red Sox will probably begin to lose ground to as a resurgent Yankee team overcomes their pitching woes with their tremendous hitting lineup. The margin will probably close to a few games in late August and September, with the predictable Red Sox nation panic calling for Francona's head.

But as Red Sox pitching recovers, and the bullpen improves, and the hitting returns, they will somehow find a way to hold off the Yankees and win the division. They will probably face either the Angels and/or Indians in the playoffs. If facing the Angels the Red Sox will cruise past them with little to no trouble. Cleveland will present them with a more difficult opponent, and will probably be a six to seven game series. The Yankees will be exposed in the playoffs at the same time, and go out in the first round.

The Red Sox will make it to the World Series, and ride their improved pitching and hitting to a 5 game series win.

Learn more about this author, Rob O'Hannon.
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