Predictions: Red Sox 2011

Alright, I know I disappeared (again). There has been so much going on lately that I’ve been unable to blog. As much as I would like to, I have to take care of things first. Priorities are a b***h.

If you don’t know (why in the world wouldn’t you?), the Red Sox’ season begins THIS FRIDAY. WOOOOOOP DEEEEEE DOOOOOOO! At (long) last. They’re starting on the road against the defending A.L. champions Texas Rangers.

I’m going to throw a curveball and give some of my anticipations on what to expect (or come out of) during Boston’s 2011 season.

10 (ANTICIPATING) Thoughts

1)       

This is what I thought the lineup would look like. But, this was months ago when the Red Sox acquired Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford.

This is probably more likely of what their projected lineup is going to be. I think you could switch Crawford/Gonzalez around.

2)     In a perfect world, I expect AT LEAST 4/5 of the starting pitchers to win 15 games or more.

Jon Lester has been pretty consistent the past three years with 16/15/19 wins. He’s a strikeout machine. It’s a lock that he should continue that success.

Hopefully, John Lackey rebounds from last year and show that his first year in the A.L. East was an adjustment. If he can duplicate his success in 2007 where he had 19 wins, the Red Sox should be sitting high.

Clay Buchholz showed everyone last year the kind of potential and promise they were expecting of him. All he needed was a chance and a full season under his belt and look what happened. 17-7 with a 2.33 ERA.

Josh Beckett is probably the biggest story (as far as pitchers go) within the rotation. Everyone projects him as a dominating pitcher and an “ace.” Putting him as the fourth starter will hopefully motivate him into pitching well and proving that he deserves to be higher within the rotation. Getting beaned in the head and inconsistent pitching during Spring Training isn’t helping him going into the season. Hopefully that changes.

And finally, we have Daisuke Matsuzaka. He’s the wildcard in all this. If he can even remotely duplicate his 2008 season where he somehow went 18-3 (despite always loading the bases and somehow getting away with no runs), then this will fully round the rotation.

Realistically, I think only 3/5 will get it done (Lester, Buchholz, and Beckett). I hope I’m wrong, though.

3)     Over or under? Adrian Gonzalez will finish the season with a .300 AVG/ 38 HR/ 132 RBI. Carl Crawford will have 61 stolen bases (one more than his ’09 season where he had 60).

I will dominate

4)     Jed Lowrie will have better statistics over Marco Scutaro despite being on the BENCH.

5)     Hideki Okajima will find a way back into the team. They need some lefty relievers.

6)     Red Sox WILL win 100 games this year and the A.L. East title.

7)     Kevin Youkilis will be a serious contender to win the A.L. MVP award.

8)     Tim Wakefield will find a way back into the rotation. He always does. Can’t put that 68 MPH fastball in the dumps!

9)     This will be Daniel Bard’s year to shine to show he’s the future closer which means bye bye Jonathan Papelbon.

10)   ’04 + ’07 = ’11 World Series Champs. Destiny? I think so. But you, you already KNOW that!






LET THE FUN BEGIN!

Thoughts on the Boston Celtics trades

Wow, where the hell have I been? Haha, I’m so sorry. I’M SORRRRRRRY! Another lay off. I know, not cool. My apologies.

10 Thoughts

1)     I wanted to wait a couple of weeks after the whole “trade deadline” died down a little. The Boston Celtics are officially filled with 15 players. It’s amazing how decimated with injuries this team had become. The team didn’t start the season with everyone healthy. When it seemed like everyone was on their way back into the team, someone else goes down. I’ve mentioned in previous posts on how scary this team would’ve been if everyone were healthy. And I still believed it. Guess that theory will never be put into fruition.

2)     JEFF GREEN. Six games in, and he has shown what he is capable of. He’s such a versatile player and I think he’s going to become a favorite here in Boston. Funny how the Celtics traded Jeff Green, a draft pick (which ended up being Glen Davis), Delonte West, and Wally Szczerbiak for Ray Allen a couple years ago. Now, they have 4/5 of them. People are comparing him to a “James Posey” type of player. Can play the 3 and 4 positions well. Has low post moves and can shoot from behind the arc. Yeah, I guess you can say he’s like James Posey offensively. Still unsure about his defense, though.

It’s only fitting to be “green"

3)     NENAD KRSTIC. Wow, my expectations of this guy were very low when the C’s got him. Surprisingly, he has become a very bright spot and is nowhere near a “thrown in” deal when he got traded alongside Jeff Green for Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson. He’s got a nice 15-17 feet jumper and can rebound the ball well. Kendrick Perkins wishes he had an offensive game. The only thing people are concerned with is his “toughness.” The look on his face and demeanor does not scream “toughness” at all. Someone tell him his dog died or something so he can express some sort of EMOTION!

4)     TROY MURPHY. I only knew this guy when he was with the Indiana Pacers. Other than that, I don’t have much clue on what this guy is going to bring to the Celtics. Hopefully he’s just a body to throw at the Power Forward/Center position to give some of the other guys rest.

5)     SASHA PAVLOVIC. Have never liked the guy. I don’t know if it was because he played for Cleveland or because he seems to miss just about every shot he takes. Or maybe because his first name is SASHA? Can’t take anyone serious if their first name is SASHA (ala Sasha Vujacic). He’s got decent size, at least. Only 27-years-old, too. I don’t know, maybe he’ll change my perception of him if he actually contributes something to the team.

6)     CARLOS ARROYO. Never liked this guy, either. Has really no defensive presence and is suspect on “O.” At least he’s probably going to sub for Rajon Rondo come playoff time. Sorry, Avery Bradley.

7)     I think Shaquille O’Neal forgot he’s still on the Celtics team.

8)     How Jermaine O’Neal is still on this team makes me mad. REALLY MAD. GRRRRRRRRR. >:(

9)     Bye, Kendrick Perkins. Bye, Nate Robinson. Bye, Luke Harangody. Bye, Semih Erden. Bye, Marquis Daniels. You will never be forgotten!!!

10)  In honor of a fallen soldier, I salute Marquis Daniels. This will be the last time I’m ever doing it: #BELEEDAT. I WILL NEVER STOP BELEE’ING! :(

Until next time... hopefully soon... haha.