The Sox begin their 2013 season today against the New York Yankees. Not sure what kind of a season this will be for the Fenway nine, but without the likes of Bobby Valentine, Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez, and Carl Crawford it certainly can’t be any worse than last season was. While Boston talk radio is all aflutter over whether or not Jackie Bradley, Jr. should make the leap from AA ball to the big team I think the most intriguing part of this year will be not the team that starts the year, but the one we see come July and August. Me, I happen to believe this is going to be a far more transitional year than most are expecting, and it should be exciting to see how the young players that will be brought in because of injuries and minor league on-field performance will work in with the veterans the team signed over the winter.
I’m predicting a fourth place .500 finish for the Sox at 81-81, behind the Rays, Blue Jays, and Yankees, and just ahead of the Orioles. I do think the AL East will be a very tight division and go right down to the wire. Wouldn’t surprise me if the difference between first place and fifth place is no more than ten games – this is a very evenly matched division that will beat up each other from start to finish.
Though I hate making predictions, you gotta on Opening Day, so here are mine:
AL East – Rays
AL Central – Tigers
AL West – Angels
Wild Card – Rangers and A’s
NL East – Braves
NL Central – Reds
NL West – Giants
Wild Card – Dodgers, Nationals
World Series – Detroit vs. Atlanta, Tigers win it all.
Play ball!
Don’t you mean “The Sox begin their 2013 season today against the HATED New York Yankees”?
Just wanted to get that on the official record.
Also heard where A-Rod will make more this year than the entire Houston Astros starting lineup, and he might not even play a single game!
Comment by Dave Richard — April 1, 2013 @ 7:53 am
Saw bits of it today while at lunch. Lester was fairly sharp although he gave up two runs while I was watching. Don’t know what kind of starting pitching they have behind him but he’s good for 15+ if he stays healthy.
I agree with you on the Tigers. I think they’re the best team in the AL but I think there are three or four NL teams that are better. Every year is different but I remember the Giants struggling with the Reds and Cards but they just ran over the Tigers last year.
PLAY BALL.
Comment by Rob — April 1, 2013 @ 2:53 pm
Hey how about a mention for the University of Louisville Men’s and Women’s basketball teams both going to the Final Four…..
Comment by Jana — April 3, 2013 @ 11:43 am