Chipper Jones Jersey
Boston Red Sox (89-73, 3rd Place AL East this year): The Red Sox genuinely have a different feel for them this season. Sure, they ran out of time to run-down the large boys within the AL East last season and were very uncharacteristically left out from the postseason, but they definitely have some new blood in the lineup in the form of Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford. Both of these really could shine making everyone else within this batting order better, so when youe already got one of the most stacked pitching staffs Johan Santana Jersey in baseball, youe got a heck of a shot to win it all.
Strengths: Is there anything that this lineup can do? Gonzalez might hit 40 homers within this Jake Peavy Jersey ballpark, as he can just wallow in it and take pot shots in the Green Monster or rip one down the road near Pesky Pole. Crawford brings another dimension of speed towards the lineup, and that he and Jacoby Ellsbury might combine for 100 swipes this year. Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis are a great tandem for getting on base. Indeed, and we haven made mention of JD Drew or David Ortiz either.
Weaknesses: We've got some questions about the middle of this rotation, but wee really nitpicking. Josh Beckett and Daisuke Matsuzaka really haven shown us much during the period of the final two years or so, plus they could both Michael Morse Jersey be decaying. In the event that the case, men like John Lackey plus some of the youngsters in Pawtucket have to step up and help Clay Buchholz and Jon Lester at the front of the rotation.
MLB Picks & Prediction: Anything less than 100 wins for that Red Sox would be incredibly disappointing. When they don win the AL East, Manager Terry Francona has some trying to explain to do.
2011 Boston Red Sox Prediction: First place in AL East
New York Yankees (95-67, 2nd Place AL East in 2010): Gm Brian Cashman knew he needed to create a in a major way splash in the offseason, but he just wasn able to do so. Cliff Lee spurned they and is taking his trade to the City of Brotherly Love, which really leaves New York high and dry when it comes to finding outside assistance for CC Sabathia at the front end from the rotation. Andy Pettitte has retired, and men like Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, and Mariano Rivera aren getting any younger. Will there be another run into the postseason this year for that boys from the Bronx? Wee really not everything sure.
Strengths: The strength of this team is definitely the middle of their lineup. There really might not be a much better 1-2 punch than Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez. Both of these both had great Spring Trainings, and both hope that they can really get going with perhaps as many as 80 homers and 250 RBIs together.
Weaknesses: Cashman knew he needed pitching in the offseason?and he still doesn have from it beyond CC. The actual bad news is that Sabathia can walk following this season, and that he really might do so. But beyond that?AJ Burnett, Ivan Nova, Bartolo Colon, Phillip Hughes?who are this option? We wouldn be shocked if the remaining starters in this rotation aside from Sabathia end up with some pot ERA above 5.00 when this year is said and completed with.
Baseball Picks & Prediction: Pitching wins championships. Big bats don. The Yanks will slug numerous teams underneath the table this year, but wee not too certain that be enough to put them within the second season. Don be surprised if Manager Joe Girardi has a lot of pressure on his after this year, as his team is going to be watching the 2nd season in the couch.
2011 New York Yankees Prediction: 2nd Devote AL East
Tampa Bay Rays (96-66, First place AL East in 2010): The Rays might have another division title in their last Chipper Jones Jersey three seasons, but no one is expecting a repeat performance this year. The window of opportunity may have slammed shut about this team a year ago, as ownership slashed payroll, causing for the departure in men like Jason Bartlett, Matt Garza, Carlos Pena, Carl Crawford, and simply the entire bullpen. There still lots of talent here in Tampa Bay, and Manager Joe Maddon is one of the best in the biz at turning chicken poo into chicken salad, but this task is just too tough this year.
Strengths: The front end of the rotation might possibly not have Garza any longer, Todd Helton Jersey however the team survived the loss of Scott Kazmir two Roy Halladay Jersey seasons ago too. David Price was probably screwed out of the Cy Young Award this past year, and Ken Griffey Jersey that he will probably be a frontrunner for the award again this year. Jeremy Hellickson is the new man in the mix, as he takes over for Garza. Hellickson is one of the top prospects hanging around at this time, and the Rays need to be excited about watching him work a full season this year. James Shields, Wade Davis, and Jeff Niemann Major League Baseball Jerseys complete what should be an excellent rotation, and Andy Sonnanstine is a superb selection for a sixth starter.
