World Series Hangover? Or World Series Do-over?

OPENING GAME: Monday, March 31 at Baltimore Orioles

OPENING GAME AT HOME: Friday, April 4 vs. Milwaukee Brewers

Scouting Report from The Sister Turned Red Sox Fanatic

Will the Red Sox avoid the dreaded “World Series Hangover?”

Fans and critics are both anxiously watching as to whether the Red Sox will avoid the dreaded fall from grace that followed them in 2005 and 2008 after winning World Series titles. I don’t think the season will be a disaster by a long shot. I also think they have their work cut out for them. 
 

Clearly one of the biggest concerns is whether the starting pitching rotation can stay healthy.  At spring training, Clay Buchholz, Jon Lester, and Peavy looked strong while John Lackey who is in the best physical shape ever cannot find his groove.  Doubront is uneven but when he’s on, he’s excellent.  Chris Capuano offers the team promise as a starter but might also play an important role as a relief pitcher depending on what happens in the bull pen.  Andrew Miller and  Rubby (pronounced “ruby”)De La Rosa look strong as relief pitchers .  The big question is what will happen for Koji Uehara this year.  At 38 coming off a near impossible to believe season, it would be a miracle for him to repeat his phenomenal World Series win but he appears to have picked up just where he left off.  Let’s hope!

 

A.J. Pierzynski offers the Red Sox great hope as both a solid catcher and a strong hitter although it is hard to see that just yet.  David Ross, a club and fan favorite, offers less flash and a bit more substance in catching but not in hitting.  Both are 37 and need to stay healthy.  Rumors abound that Ryan Larvarnway will be traded to make way for Christian Vasquez or Blake Swihart from the minors.  Whoever comes up, he needs to be young!

Dustin Pedroia (2B), Will Middlebrooks (3B) and Mike Napoli (1B) all look terrific and I think we will see them as great infielders and strong batters. However, the Red Sox are missing a reliable back-up for Napoli at first base. If Napoli who has been plagued by hip injuries gets hurt again, the team will be scrambling. However, good thing is that with so many strong outfielders (too many actually), Mike Carp (LF) or Daniel Nava (LF) could play first. Xander Bogaerts (SS) has been exciting to watch and I predict he becomes a major fan favorite.  Prepare to see a crop of baby boys named Xander now that the Jasons, Jacobys, and Justins are gone. The Sox will miss Jacoby Ellsbury more for his speed and spirit but I think the Yankees bought an expensive “maybe” for the upcoming season. 

Despite his talents, Mike Carp is rumored to be on the list to be traded if difficult decisions need to be made about the outfield. Grady Sizemore’s triumphant return combined with Jackie Bradley, Jr.’s backup give the Sox solid support in center field.  Jonny Gomes who is unbelievably “hot” without the beard seems confident in left field while Shane Victorino (when he has played in spring training) is high-energy and fun to watch. 

I think the Red Sox have an excellent chance of taking the American League East and I suspect it will be Tampa Bay they struggle with, rather than the Yankees. But I also believe that it will take a dozen games or more before we know whether the World Series Hangover will veer its ugly head.  The Sox won’t win if they aren’t hungry—2013 was a great example of what good talent but great spirit can produce! Play ball!

 

NOTE:   This was a serious scouting report. Check out the Sister's Report from Spring Training in the Grapefruit League.