It's Sox Time Now

Opening Day. Spring training is behind us and now it's time to see just what kind of team the 2010 Red Sox are. There's no better test of their mettle than season-opening series against their archrivals, the--forgive me if I cringe while saying this--reigning World Champion Yankees. The offseason hype is that the Red Sox have lost offensive thump in favor of high-quality defensive leather and a third ace in the rotation. Surely, when Jason Bay was allowed to walk south to Queens to join that other New York team, the Nation fretted that the Red Sox offensive power would go with him. The gloves they gained in Cameron, Beltre, and Scutaro will no doubt tighten up the loosey-goosey defense that dragged the team down last year. Remember the shortstop antics of Julio Lugo and Nick Green? Or all the balls hit to left field that Jason Bay didn't get to? Or, the post-hip surgery Mike Lowell trying valiantly to play third base while hampered by significantly reduced mobility?

Overall, the 2010 Red Sox are an improved team from the one who went three and out last October. The top of the rotation could very well be the envy of the league. Adrian Beltre will make some killer plays at third and get the ball to Youk fast enough to retire even the speediest runners. Marco Scutaro batting ninth can be a valuable second leadoff hitter. Mike Cameron is a very athletic and spry 37 and, with the help of Jacoby Ellsbury and J.D. Drew will plug a good many of the holes in the outfield. Having a bat of Mike Lowell's caliber off the bench could be a real plus in pinch-hitting situations, as well as giving guys a breather at first, third and DH. The only area of concern I have is the bullpen. Aside from Papelbon, Bard, and Okajima, the remainder of the bullpen is peppered with question marks. Atchison looks promising, but we still haven't seen enough of him in late and close situations to make an accurate judgement. Schoenweiss's sample size is even smaller. Then, there are Ramon Ramirez and Manny Delcarmen, who started out so strong last season, but unraveled as the season went on.

It will be an exciting season for the Red Sox and for all of baseball. Will the Blue Jays replace the Orioles as the Red Sox' AL East punching bag? What about those Rays? Will they resemble the 2008 version or 2009? Will the Yankees have another year like last year where everything falls into place and they win over 100 games? Will the Red Sox find the need to make a major deadline trade like they did last year for V-Mart? Fasten your seatbelts, Red Sox Nation--the ride is about to begin!

LET'S GO RED SOX!!!!!