Mid October 2008, the air is brisk as autumn falls over New England. The streets of Boston are a virtual ghost town as baseball fans sit fixated on their television sets and a lucky thirty four thousand fans sit in the great historical Fenway Park.

It's the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs and the tying run on second. Jonathan Papelbon is on the mound trying to hold Boston's one run lead in game seven of a grueling series against (Insert your favorite NL team here). Here comes the 2/1 pitch, its hit hard towards center field, Jacob Ellsbury is going back, he is at the wall, it looks like it could be out of the park, Ellsbury jumps up and reaches over the wall...

We're going to stop here for a moment, if I have one comeback wish for the 2008 baseball season, it would be that Ellsbury will catch that fly ball and the Red Sox would win their second consecutive World Series title.

Let's examine the 2008 Boston Red Sox to determine if my comeback wish can become reality.

OFFENSE: The 2007 baseball season had shown Boston's incredible ability to hit the small ball. Dustin Pedroia did an incredible job batting in the lead off position, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez anchored the line-up and hitting from Mike Lowell, Jacob Ellsbury and Kevin Youkilis rounded out an offense that sent fear through many pitchers.

That powerful offense returns in it entirety for the 2008 baseball season, with that said the offense seems to be in order for another journey to World Series

INFIELD: The 2007 Red Sox infield received numerous awards in the off season, including: Golden Glove winner Kevin Youkilis, Rookie of the year Dustin Pedroia, and World Series MVP Mike Lowell.

With all those award winning players returning to their positions for the 2008 season, the infield remains a solid.

OUTFIELD: During the 2007 season Jacoby Ellsbury was brought up to the majors from Boston's farm system and this proved to be a wise choice. During the World Series, Ellsbury came alive as a hitter and gave fans a glimpse of his speed, stealing bases and chasing down fly balls all over the outfield.

J.D. Drew will return to play right field and Manny Ramirez will continue to play in left field. If there are any doubts about the fielding abilities of these two players, review some highlights reels and you will see great fielding ability in both players.

PITCHING: The Red Sox starting pitchers were consistent and solid throughout the 2007 season. Josh Beckett had

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