UnMatchedSox

Going in to the seventh with a 2 run lead isn’t the sure thing it once was, what with the bullpen as inconsistent as it has been. The offense decided that this one was not going to get away from them and plated seven in the 7th and another four in the 8th. All of this being precipitated by an overturned triple-play call. With runners on 2nd and 3rd, Tek hit a line drive to center and the centerfielder caught the ball of the bounce. The runners took off, but the umpires incorrectly signaled it as a catch. After conferring and reviewing replays, the call was overturned and the blood letting began in earnest.

Ellsbury lead the assault with four hits on six at-bats and Youkilis knocked in 4. Beckett was credited with the win, but gave up the only Twins runs with 5 earned runs in 5 innings.

Thank you Theo Epstein for not trading away Ellsbury or Pedroia because these are two of the most exciting players on the team right now. The dynamic duo of Jacoby and Dustin was a combined 7 for 10 this evening with 4 runs and 3 RBI. Pedroia hit three doubles and stole a base, but was overshadowed (slightly) by Ellsbury. Jacoby had his first multi-homer game with two solo shots and a flawlessly executed drag bunt single. As for the Manny 500 HR watch, he’ll sit at 496 for a little bit longer thanks to an amazing catch by Vlad in the 5th.

Josh Beckett was a late scratch with a sore neck and it would be an omen of the pitching performances yet to come. The game featured 13 runs scored, 27 hits, 5 home runs and an amazing 312 pitches. I think it goes without saying that this was no pitcher’s duel.

After playing in three countries and travelling over 16,000 miles, the Boston Red Sox have finally played their first game at Fenway. In what is easily the most sick and twisted start to any season, the Sox are finally home. Of course, like the ‘05 opener, there was a bit of pomp and circumstance to this one. The team will have to wait another day before they can just get down to business and play baseball without all the sideshows and exhibitions.

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If there is anything you like to see in a championship team from one year to the next it is very little change and the 2008 Boston Red Sox definitely qualify. All of the starting 9 played in Boston uniforms last year and many of them have already shown us that they can indeed play in Boston. Of course anything can happen in the course of a 162 game season, but the following is my best guess for the starting 9 and my predictions for their performance this coming year.

CF - Jacoby Ellsbury

Ellsbury looks like he’ll be the big league center fielder and leadoff man in 2008 and will probably get the same treatment Pedroia got last year. Even if he struggles early, expect Francona to stand by him as long as humanly possible. All of Red Sox Nation has very high hopes for Ellsbury and based on the glimpse we got last year our expectations seem reasonable. I fully expect Ellsbury’s batting average to hover around .305 for the season and his OBP to end up around .400. While I think a lot of people will foolishly try and compare Jacoby to Johnny, there is no way he’s going to give us the kind of power Damon did. Instead of looking at Ellsbury as the second coming of Johnny Damon we should be hoping for our own personal Ichiro. Ellsbury’s speed is amazing and I think we’re going to see him leg out a whole lot of infield singles and force infielders to commit more than their fair share of errors trying to catch him.

• BAA - .305
• OBP - .400
• SB - 40

2B - Dustin Pedroia

Is it considered a sophomore slump if a player comes close, but doesn’t match his numbers from his rookie season? Personaly, I don’t think so, but after the performance he gave us in 2007 he did set the bar pretty high. In 2007, Pedroia posted a batting average of .317 and an OBP of .380 and that was with significant inconsistency in the leadoff spot. If Ellsbury has the kind of year I think he will, then look for Pedroia to have an even better year in ‘08. Regardless, I think Pedroia’s average and OBP will be relatively the same as last year. With the speedy Ellsbury in front of him look for Pedroia’s runs batted in to make a nice healthy uptick in to the 60’s.

• BAA - .315
• OBP - .385
• RBI - 68

DH - David Ortiz

The million dollar question with Ortiz is, “How’s the knee?” Last year, David’s power numbers were down significantly from ‘06, but he still managed to post an OPS over 1. If the knee really is back to normal, then look for Papi to have another monster year like he did in ‘06. I believe ‘08 is going to be a big year for David and if he can put ‘07 averages with ‘06 power he’ll finally land that elusive MVP.

• BAA - .325
• HR - 50
• RBI - 130

LF - Manny Ramirez

Its a contract year for Manny and I think the right handed hitting savant of yore will return in full force in 2008. I fully expect that for the entirety of 2008 we’ll be seeing a changed Man-ny. I’m expecting increases across the board and wouldn’t be surprised to see ‘04 or ‘06 numbers.

• BAA - .320
• HR - 40
• RBI - 120

3B - Mike Lowell

Once upon a time he was the “throw-in” in a controversial trade for Josh Beckett and now he’s the 2007 World Series MVP and arguably one of the fan’s favorite Red Sox third baseman of all-time. Lowell’s swing is a natural fit for Fenway and ever since his arrival he’s been a doubles machine putting up 37 and 47 doubles in the past two seasons. What’s more, he’s rediscovered his power, hitting 120 RBI and setting the team record for RBI by a third baseman. I’m expecting pretty much the same level of offensive production from Lowell in ‘08.

• BAA - .315
• 2B - 40
• HR - 22

RF - J.D. Drew

The question on every Sox fan’s mind is, “Can J.D. get any worse?” Frankly, I don’t see how that is possible and remain cautiously optimistic that 2008 will be the year in which we see the real J.D. Drew. Of course, all of that is predicated on the idea that changing leagues, changing cities, and the business with his son’s health played a big part in his performance drop in ‘07. The funny thing about Drew’s 2007 season is that, on paper, its not nearly as bad of a drop-off compared to the one Lowell experienced the year before he joined the Sox. The real issue with Drew is the money and rightfully so. Management gave their right fielder a lot of money to come play here and he hasn’t even come close to earning his check. Hopefully, he’ll do better in ‘08.

• BAA - .280
• HR - 22
• RBI - 80

1B - Kevin Youkilis

In only three short seasons, Kevin Youkilis has managed to do it all from play 3rd and 1st as well as hit in nearly every spot in the order. A natural at getting on base, Kevin had 77 walks last season and an OBP of .390. With the Sox adding backup first baseman Sean Casey, look to see Youkilis serve double duty as the starting 1B as well as the backup to Lowell at third. While not a true power hitter, Youk hit 16 homers and a respectable 83 RBI last season.

• BAA - .285
• OBP - .400
• RBI - 80

C - Jason Varitek

Arguably one of the most valuable members of the team, Varitek’s offense has been in a steady state of decline for two years now. His numbers are declining across the board and I highly doubt we’re going to see much, if any increase this year. The position behind the plate is easily the thinnest spot on the depth chart and the Sox need an heir apparent very badly.

• BAA - 2.45
• HR - 15
• RBI - 75

SS - Julio Lugo

If you told me last June that Lugo would manage to steal 33 bases, knock in 73 runs, and hit 36 doubles, I would have thought you were crazy, but alas Lugo did manage to do all three. Of course, he did finish the season with a .234 batting average and an amazingly bad .294 OBP. For 2008, I am going to operate under the assumption that he can’t possibly get worse.

• BAA - .255
• OBP - .350
• SB - 35

The Red Sox have signed former Cy Young winner Bartolo Colon to a minor league deal. The money in the deal is not guaranteed and should the 11 year veteran make the major league rotation he’d be earning far below market value with lots of performance bonuses.

When I first heard of the deal, I was less than enthused. For the past two years, Colon has been an absolute train wreck and the only thing that has climbed higher than his weight has been his ERA. Now that I’ve heard the details it became clear that this arrangement is a pretty low risk gamble. With any luck Colon will come in and fill the 5th starter spot, allowing the Sox to keep the innings down on Buchholz’s arm and ease him in to the rotation.

Terry Francona and the Boston Red Sox have agreed to a three year contract extension that will take Tito through 2011. With two World Series titles in four seasons, Francona is already the most successful Red Sox manager in a generation, if not all time. Personally, I’m glad we’ve got him locked up for another three years.