I kicked off the InterLeague schedule with authority, posting a lofty 10(w)-3(L) record over 14 games (77%)-with 1 push on the Cubs (+1) keeping it close in Texas. This increased the balance 33% of the original wager. Although no cigar on the parlay (need a perfect day 4 that), you can't ask for better protection, without the sweat. A 3 game trend has surfaced since the "Scope On Contact" feature was introduced: mind you I started in a mediocre alphabetical order with Arizona, Atlanta and Baltimore---but all 3 teams won on their breakdown days. Today I give my take on the Boston Red Sox, underdogs in Philly today, but I project a win or at least a 1 run loss for the Sox; Something to keep an eye on.
Boston Red Sox:
--Bats--
Torch: Kevin Youkilis
Dead Battery: Bill Hall
--Arms--
Live: Jon Lester
Dead: John Lackey
They started slow this season, and it may be difficult for the Red Sox to gain ground on the Yankees and Rays, it should also be noted that the Blue Jays are a few games up on them as well at the moment- although Boston leads that season series 5-1 so far. If you look up and down this lineup, and the quality of that starting rotation as well as decency in the bullpen, there is no reason to think this unit won't catch up to the front runners and contend for a wild card. The only problem here is that the front runners in the AL East are also stacked, and Tampa runs laps around the Red Sox with their speed and run manufacturing ability-with young excellent pitching to support it. There is no question in my mind that this Boston team will rack up a tremendous amount wins- closer to 100 than 80. They are always a tough matchup for the World Champion Yankees, and the games so far this year haven't suggested anything different; I am convinced they end up winning the season series' with both Baltimore and Toronto, and will fare well in the rest of American League play based on their high talent level. As far as the lineup goes, David Ortiz is starting to hit well, bringing his average up around the .250 mark with 8 jacks-and I wouldn't be surprised if he builds (a bit) on his recent success. The rest of the lineup is deep and powerful---additions C Victor Martinez(mid-year, 09') and OF Jeremy Hermida should turn out to be genius pickups for them, and the Adrian Beltre experiment is working out for the better thus far. When Ellsbury gets back in the lineup, an average SS Marco Scutaro will have to defer to a "bottom of the order" slot, probably filling the hole of Ellsbury's unproductive fill-in, OF Bill Hall. The fact that the Boston regulars (Youkilis, Pedroia etc.) are maintaining solid paces at the plate leads me to believe that this lineup will click well as the season goes on. They already have their spurts where they hit and score like crazy, and these moments look to occur more frequently. One knock on the Boston catchers Martinez and Varitek is that neither can throw out runners, primarily the reason running teams like Tampa can run them out of the stadium on any given night. They are not very fast, but Ellsbury's return should help, being the craft base stealer he is-and the rest of them are run producers. The pitching has been disappointing to this point, generally speaking. Buchholz and Lester are both pitching well, and the book is still out this season on Dice K Matsuzaka-tonights starter, coming off a bad start. Free agent pickup, workhorse John Lackey hasn't adjusted well to his new team thus far- he has been below average, something he is not normally accustomed to. He is 4-3, with a 5.07 ERA (A testament to Boston's hitters) but I would suggest that his ERA settles down to the high 3.00's before the season ends--another reason I would give the Red Sox a fighting chance at the wild card. The bullpen has always been decent (Delcarmen, Okajima etc.) and hard throwing Daniel Bard, their 1st round pick from 06' looks like as dangerous a reliever as they come...and then there's Papelbon to close--never an easy task for hitters playing catch-up in the 9th. Thats the Red Sox breakdown through my eyes so far. I also think they beat the Phillies tonight, getting a nice underdog spot.
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