The Red Sox Rotation

The Red Sox rotation has huge potential this year. It is made up of guys that have each had great performances at certain points. They also have many options for their rotation. Does this sound a little familiar. Well that's because it sounds a lot like last year. Nothing seemed to quite go as planned last year. John Smoltz and Brad Penny additions meant to give the team's rotation depth never panned out. This year the team picked up a new arm in John Lackey. Remember Lackey the man that helped the Angels show the Red Sox the door last season. So let's go down the rotation as it is expected to be seen at the beginning of the season.

Josh Beckett- Beckett is in his last year of his contract. Josh has been the Boston workhorse since he arrived in 2006 as the Yankee Slayer. He put in another solid year last year despite battling injuries as he posted a 17-6 record with a 3.86 ERA. I think if there is one arm in this rotation that you can depend on it is Beckett. I predict he has a slightly better year in 2010.

Jon Lester- Lester has been the star in the rotation that last couple year.s He has turned into a bright star for Boston. Along with an inspirational story with his battle with cancer. I would expect him to stay healthy and post similar numbers to his 3.41 ERA and 15-8 record. In fact I would bet that his record improves a bit from the 15-8 record.

John Lackey- This is the one to worry about. Yes, the Red Sox have protected themselves financially if Lackey gets injured. But, if he is lost for the season it could start a repeat of last year's rotation. If he is in top form then Boston could have the best 3 in any rotation in the league.

Clay Buchholz- Another wild-card in the rotation is the young kid Buchholz. If he can just manage around a 4.00 ERA this year it will probably be enough for this team. Boston will be very happy if this kid can get 15 wins this year.

Daisuke Matsuzaka- All the news is good about Dice-K this spring training. For once members in the Red Sox camp seem to be pleased with his off season workouts. That's good news because Boston can't afford the Dice to come up snake eyes this year. If they do then Tim Wakefield will become an important part of the rotation. I predict that Dice-K proves his critics wrong and bounces back to a 15 win season along with a 3.50 ERA. If Boston gets that out of their 5 starter then they will be headed to great season.

My overall prediction is that this years experiments come to fruition as Boston goes neck and neck with the Yankees to win the AL East. I think the fans will have a lot to cheer about this year's starters.