Reilly
02-02-2005, 02:56 AM
The Herald's Tony Massarotti writes a good piece on Boston's '05 lineup (http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=65943), which if guys can stay healthy seems a virtual lock to be the best in the game.
The Red Sox have led the majors in runs scored in each of the last two seasons and appear on paper to have improved with the addition of Edgar Renteria at shortstop and the return to health of right fielder Trot Nixon.
The lineup should look something like this:
1. Damon - CF; 2. Renteria - SS; 3. Ramirez - LF; 4. Ortiz - DH; 5. Millar - 1B; 6. Nixon - RF; 7. Mueller - 3B; 8. Varitek- C; 9. Bellhorn - 2B.
The Sox will also have guys like Kevin Youkilis, Jay Payton and Ramon Vazquez and even super prospect Hanley Ramirez waiting in the wings to take over in case on injury.
So Boston will mash the ball in '05. The real question, of course, comes with the pitching. And there are plenty of questions. Schilling's ankle. Wells' back. Wade Miller's shoulder. Can Bronson Arroyo be consistent? How will Matt Clement adjust to the American League?
Despite all the questions I'm quite optimistic with the pitching. I see guys who are good strikeout pitchers (Schilling, Clement, Miller) or a guy like Wells who has impeccable control.
It's a gamble, but it looks like a good one to me.
The Red Sox have led the majors in runs scored in each of the last two seasons and appear on paper to have improved with the addition of Edgar Renteria at shortstop and the return to health of right fielder Trot Nixon.
The lineup should look something like this:
1. Damon - CF; 2. Renteria - SS; 3. Ramirez - LF; 4. Ortiz - DH; 5. Millar - 1B; 6. Nixon - RF; 7. Mueller - 3B; 8. Varitek- C; 9. Bellhorn - 2B.
The Sox will also have guys like Kevin Youkilis, Jay Payton and Ramon Vazquez and even super prospect Hanley Ramirez waiting in the wings to take over in case on injury.
So Boston will mash the ball in '05. The real question, of course, comes with the pitching. And there are plenty of questions. Schilling's ankle. Wells' back. Wade Miller's shoulder. Can Bronson Arroyo be consistent? How will Matt Clement adjust to the American League?
Despite all the questions I'm quite optimistic with the pitching. I see guys who are good strikeout pitchers (Schilling, Clement, Miller) or a guy like Wells who has impeccable control.
It's a gamble, but it looks like a good one to me.