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Did you see the early odds to when the WS?! Toronto was a 4/1 fav to win.
I'm stoked the Sox shed a bunch of payroll and are looking to revamp this team, but I don't see us winning more than 90 games this year. Its a tough call as to how competitive we will be and a lot hinges on the starting pitching bouncing back. The offense is mediocore and we have some real questions marks starting this season.
This is how I would set the lineup:
1. Ellsbury, CF
2. Victorino, RF
3. Pedrioa, 2B
4. Ortiz, DH
5. Napoli, 1B
6. Middlebrooks, 3B
7. Drew, SS
8. Gomes, LF
9. Salty, C
Pretty weak. Big question marks at the bottom half of the order and we will probably bat Ortiz 3rd in reality. We also have real health concerns with Pedrioa, Ortiz, Napoli and Drew penciled in as starters. The bench is medicore.
Rotation: Lester, Dempster, Buchholtz, Doubront, someone else maybe Lackey
Lester had a terrible season last year but its not like he was pitching without velocity like a Lincecum. Not sure what happened but he is stil capable of being a #1. Dempster got lit up in the real league so I don't expect a lot out of him - maybe 14-11 with a 4.40 era. Anything better would be a plus. Buchholz has never impressed me but I do think Doubront could be a solid middle of the rotation starter. I guess we may get Lackey back but that dude is probably done. Bottom line - our rotation is pretty weak and maybe the worst in the division.
Bullpen: Hanharan closer, Uehara, Bailey, Aceves, Bard, Miller, Tazawa
Hanharan is an upgrade at closer and we have a lot of great arms in set-up. This is a very strong unit and arguably one of the best in baseball. Unfortunately, when your starters suck, your bullpen wears down by September.
On paper, this is a very average team with a lot of question marks. I'll hope for the best but we are clearly behind Tampa and NY, and probably behind Toronto and Baltimore. Could be another year in the cellar.
Last edited by ocmmafan; 02-25-2013 at 09:35 PM.
Did you see the early odds to when the WS?! Toronto was a 4/1 fav to win.
I wouldn't say rebuilding. Once they get past the luxury tax year, they'll be spending again. Although, I really want to see what our prospects can do in the coming years. I really want Sanchez, Williams and Austin to work outOriginally Posted by Tapout2.2
Is there ANY chance this team even sniffs at 90 wins? Not to sound like a dick but I think 75-80 wins for this team would be a successful season. The AL East isn't what it was even a few years ago but all the teams besides BSox still have a pretty good chance to make the playoffs.
It is hard to find way to be optimistic but I think they can be a .500 team. I give them about a 15% chance at winning 90 games just because baseball is a little bit unpredictabe. It is the worst team they have had in over 10 years though and I admit that.
I think they are better than Baltimore, but its close.
I couldn't find any betting sites with those numbers. best case was 7 to 1 favorites which they should be. look at this lineup
SS: Jose reyes
LF: Melky Caberera
RF: Jose Bautista
DH: Edwin Encarnacian
3B: Bret Lawrie
1B: Adam Lind
CF: Colby Rausmas
C: JP Arencebia
2nd: benifco
Starting Rotation:
RA Dickey
Brandon Morrow
Mark Buerhle
Josh Johnson
Ricky Romero
Bullpen
JA Happ
Steve Dalembar
Brad Lincoln
KC Janssen
Sergio Santos
Due Up
On paper, that team does look pretty solid.
The rotation could be anywhere from A+ to C-. Dickey and Johnson are in for a surprise pitching in the AL east vs that weak NL crap they faced, Morrow is a health risk with a ton of upside and Romero looked terrible last year. Buerhle fills out a rotation but is no monster and won't have an ERA below 4.3 in Toronto.
I would rate the bullpen as a C though and not nearly as high as you do.
1-5 the lineup is loaded but 6-9 is nothing special. More topside then bottom to the 2nd part of the lineup but we'll see. Toronto fans definitely have something good here and if healthy, they should be an exciting team. I'll be taking overs when they are at home.
Yeah I certainly don't think .500 is out of the question. I think they'll be a little under that but like you said baseball is pretty unpredictable. Who would have thought the O's would do well last year (or going a few years back the Rays almost going from worst to first)
I gotta say for the first time in a long time, The Yankees aren't favorites in the AL East. I would say the best 2 teams are the Jays and Orioles. We'll see how it shakes out though
It weasnt from a betting site. ESPN writers. Saw it on sportscenter.
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