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a name for himself after throwing a no-hitter in just his second Major League start last season. Overall, he had a 1.59 ERA, .184 opponents' average, and 22 strikeouts in 22.2 innings. While his total innings will be limited, Buchholz will likely spend most if not all of the season in Boston's rotation.

Rounding out the rotation is Jon Lester whose return from a leukemia scare was very impressive considering the circumstances. In 63 regular season innings, he had a 4.57 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, and 50 strikeouts. He will begin the year in Boston, having earned a rotation spot through a combination of performance and necessity.

In the bullpen, Jonathan Papelbon is arguably the best closer in the game; he strikes out about 13 batters per nine innings while holding opponents to a .146 average. Lefty Hideki Okajima had a great transition to the majors, maintaining a 2.22 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 69 innings. Mike Timlin, Manny Delcarmen, Bryan Corey, Kyle Snyder, and Javier Lopez each held their ERA's under 4.00 in 2007, making for what was statistically the best bullpen in the league.

Boston's offense remains one of the most productive in the league with a strong lineup from top to bottom. Anchored by David Ortiz, the Red Sox finished third in the American League in runs scored in 2007. Ortiz finished with career highs in average at .332, doubles with 52, and OPS at 1.066. Hampered by injuries, Manny Ramirez did not have one of his typical years, but he was still strong with a .296 average, 20 home runs, and a .881 OPS. Last year's team MVP, Mike Lowell holds down the fifth spot in the order behind Ortiz and Ramirez making for a trio of big bats; his second year with the Sox included a .324 average, 21 home runs, and a team leading 120 RBI.

The top of Boston's order has the perfect duo of table-setters with Rookie of the Year Dustin Pedroia and first baseman Kevin Youkilis. Pedroia finished his rookie year in the top ten in the AL in batting average at .317; he also got on base at a .380 clip and hit 39 doubles. Youkilis continued to be one of the most impressively selective hitters in the game, walking 77 times for a .390 on-base percentage; he also hit 16 home runs, 35 doubles, and finished with a .843 OPS. They were instrumental in leading the Red Sox to the second highest team on-base percentage in baseball.

The Red Sox have plenty of pop throughout their batting order, with J.D. Drew, Jason Varitek, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Julio Lugo rounding out the offense. After signing a

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