Winner of sox-indians games will reighn as world champions.

Two teams too close to call, evenly matched

the red sox rock. mike lowell MVP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Giant payroll, huge talent - of course they're a contender.

tigers will choke

Matzu won't get them over the hump. The wild card will be Toronto or Cleveland. Sorry Sox. I love ya' but...

We'll have to see how it all gells. They should have no problem scoring runs with Ramirez and Ortiz in the middle. The starting pitching looks solid, but they really need to come up with a closer- Joel Piniero once had promise with Seattle as a starter but now seems like a sacrificial lamb, a mop up guy you bring in when you're getting your ass kicked 12-1 in the 4th inning or something. Middle relief looks somewhat better. They may trade for a closer or move Papelbon back into the role. Varitek is aging and they need Coco Crisp to really improve upon last year's numbers. Defensively, they're pretty strong overall. Drew is a question mark with his past injuries, and while he's more talented than Trot Nixon was, his reputation is that he's kind of the anti- Nixon in terms of grit and hustle. The bench is ok, but not nearly as strong as it was a few years back. I predict a big fight with NY for the division, but it's hard to predict how they'll do- like most clubs they have some strengths and some glaring weaknesses.

The Red Sox fell to 3rd place in the AL East to the Blue Jays last year, and seem to have put all of their hope in getting back to the postseason in Daisuke Matsuzaka. How good he will be will go a long way in determining how they end up. I think he will be a pretty solid starter, but not a big enough difference to get them to the playoffs. The rest of the rotation has great potential to be great or be a bust. Josh Becket pitched more innings than he ever had for the Marlins, but was down right mediocre for the Bo Sox last year. Papelbon was a great closer, but who knows if he will be successful or healthy enough to be an impact starter. And Curt Schilling is a great player, but also an older guy. Papelbon's departure for the rotation also makes one of the better bullpens in the league vulnerable this year. The lineup should be ok with Manny and Ortiz still knocking the hell out of balls. However, a Lowell, Lugo, Pedroia, and Youklis infield is not imposing to me. Coco Crisp and JD Drew also need to prove themselves. The Red Sox are loaded with potential, but I have questions about them putting it all together this season.

  they have the best pitching this year

Tough call.

The upside potential is pretty high, as it usually is with these guys, and I would expect them to contend in a division that is more balanced than it has been in the past.

There is a noticeable flake factor here though, and how that plays out could be critical to the team's success.

Psst.... anybody seen Manny?