We are joined by some of the best Red Sox bloggers to make some predictions about the upcoming season.
What record (wins/losses) will the Red Sox have in 2010?
Ian Bethune – Sox and Dawgs: 95-67
Evan Brunell– Fire Brand of the American League: 92-70
Craig Leger– 4 Sport Boston: 93-69
Jarred Carrabis– Sox Space News: If they deal for Adrian Gonzalez in July? 98-64. However, I don’t think that they will until next winter, or even July 2011 for that matter, so I’ll go with 95 wins.
Robert Munstis– The Bottom Line: 96-66
Matt O’Donnell– Fenway West: 94-68
consensus 94-68
What place will they be in the A.L. East?
Ian Bethune – Sox and Dawgs: 2nd. Taking the wild card
Evan Brunell– Fire Brand of the American League: 2nd
Craig Leger– 4 Sport Boston: 2nd
Jarred Carrabis– Sox Space News: Second place team as long as the Yankees stay healthy (and the same goes for Sox) and a Wild Card spot.
Robert Munstis– The Bottom Line: Second – behind the Yankees and ahead of the Rays.
Matt O’Donnell– Fenway West: 2nd
consensus: 2nd
Who will be the opening day starter?
Ian Bethune – Sox and Dawgs: Josh Beckett
Evan Brunell– Fire Brand of the American League: Josh Beckett
Craig Leger– 4 Sport Boston: Jon Lester
Jarred Carrabis– Sox Space News: It should be Lester based on numbers and consistency, but I’m going with Beckett out of respect.
Robert Munstis– The Bottom Line: Josh Beckett
Matt O’Donnell– Fenway West: Josh Beckett
consensus: Josh Beckett
Who of the following will not be in the starting rotation at the beginning of the season? Beckett, Lester, Lackey, Matsuzaka, Wakefield, or Buchholz.
Ian Bethune – Sox and Dawgs: Buchholz – since he has options, he’ll start the season in Triple-A. But will only be there until a 5th starter is needed.
Evan Brunell– Fire Brand of the American League: Tim Wakefield
Craig Leger– 4 Sport Boston: I think they will still toy with Buchholz and play him a little on long relief and Pawtuckett. He is bound to become more serviceable when Wake hits his yearly injury.
Jarred Carrabis– Sox Space News: Gotta say Tim Wakefield. Keep him handy to spot start here and there and then insert him when someone inevitably goes down. We haven’t seen a healthy rotation for all 162 games in years, so he will get his innings somewhere.
Robert Munstis– The Bottom Line: Tim Wakefiled
Matt O’Donnell– Fenway West: Buchholz will be in the bullpen until someone gets hurt.
consensus: toss-up between Wakefield and Buchholz
How many home runs will David Ortiz hit?
Ian Bethune – Sox and Dawgs: .290 31 HRs 110 RBIs.
Evan Brunell– Fire Brand of the American League: 32
Craig Leger– 4 Sport Boston: 32 – A comeback year (to 2010 standards) for Big Papi.
Jarred Carrabis– Sox Space News: Being that it’s a contract year, I’m thinking big. .267, 32 HR, 101 RBI
Robert Munstis– The Bottom Line: 31
Matt O’Donnell– Fenway West: 30
consensus: 31
Where will Beltre be in the batting order?
Ian Bethune – Sox and Dawgs: 6th Ellsbury, Pedroia, VMart, Youk, Ortiz, Beltre, Drew, Scutaro, Cameron
Evan Brunell– Fire Brand of the American League: 6th
Craig Leger– 4 Sport Boston: Seventh. At least to start the season. The Martinez/Youkilis/Ortiz core will be hard to break in unless Papi fades out. I think JD will take on the 6 hole while Pedey and Ellsbury front the lineup. Scutaro in the 8 spot and Cameron will bat 9th.
Jarred Carrabis– Sox Space News: Ellsbury, Pedroia, V-Mart, Youkilis, Ortiz, Beltre, Drew, Cameron, Scutaro seems to make the most sense to me, at least.
Robert Munstis– The Bottom Line: 8th
Matt O’Donnell– Fenway West: 6th Ells, Pedroia, Youk, V-Mart, Ortiz, Beltre, Drew, Cameron, Scutarto
consensus: 6th
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