Boston Red Sox 2010 season preview

Being a fan of the Boston Red Sox has suddenly become a lot of fun. After nearly a century of misery, the Sox have turned things around and the organization is among the best in the league under current general manager Theo Epstein. So what can we expect from the Sox in 2010? That remains to be seen, but all signs point to this version of the Red Sox being very balanced and extremely talented. Jason Bay left left field, but the Sox have found some answers by replacing production from him.

2010 lineup
When you look at Boston’s offense in 2010, one thing jumps out at you: the lack of a big bopper. David Ortiz is still running the DH hole, but his offensive productivity has plummeted from spells. With Jason Bay gone, one has to wonder where the firepower will come from. However, Red Sox fans shouldn’t worry too much, as this offense will continue to score a lot of runs. Point guard Jacoby Ellsbury is among the league’s best on-base hitters and slips second. Dustin Pedroia continues to be very productive, and the trio of Victor Martinez, Kevin Youkilis and JD Drew is nothing to sneeze at offensively.

2010 rotate
We all know that hitting is only part of the game, and being the balanced club that it is, this Boston team does a lot more than just hit. The rotation presents some pieces and he is important. John Lackey is his name and he should slot in nicely behind Jon Lester and Josh Beckett. The Red Sox are looking for a big year from Clay Bucholz, who appears to be taking strikeouts and ground balls like a good young pitcher should. If he can emerge and the Red Sox get some Daisuke Matsuzaka, they’ll have the best pitching staff in all of baseball. Throw in a solid bullpen and this staff has the makings to be special.

The 2010 Red Sox sport a good defense, which should benefit from improvements at center field and third base with Mike Cameron and Adrian Beltre, respectively. Ellsbury slips to the left and represents another sure improvement over the Bay that Gone. All in all, they will be very good at preventing runs and well above average at scoring them. That’s a good combination and it looks like it will carry Boston to the top of a very competitive AL East.