Boston Red Sox

Again not much to be said about the defending World Series Champions. They finished the regular season at 98-64 and had the greatest comeback in sports history in the playoffs. They were #1 in the league in hitting with a .282 average and 5.86 runs per game, and #3 in pitching with a 4.18 ERA. Sure they lost Pedro Martinez and Derek Lowe, but added Matt Clement and David Wells to replace them.

The starting rotation will be anchored by Curt Schilling, Clement, Wells, the ageless Tim Wakefield, Bronson Arroyo, and when he is 100% recovered from shoulder surgery, Wade Miller. People may look at Clement's 9-13 record and wonder if he is the pitcher everyone thinks he is. Let me tell you this, yes he is. If you watched any Cubs games during his starts you know he got little to no run support in any of his games. Having this record with a 3.68 ERA shows he is a quality pitcher with good stuff, but needed run support. He will get all the runs he needs in Boston. When Miller is healthy, he can be good enough to be a #1 pitcher on a staff.

Keith Foulke will be the closer again this season and has veterans Mike Timlin and Alan Embree to set him up. The bullpen and starting rotation are fine.

As far as the rest of the team goes, they lost Dave Roberts and Gabe Kapler as back up outfielders but added Jay Payton who will do more than his share. Orlando Cabrera was replaced by Edgar Renteria at shortstop, so there was quite an improvement there. Jason Veritek will again be the clubhouse leader and starting catcher, backed up by Doug Mirabelli (perhaps the best backup catcher in the bigs), Kevin Millar will be at first followed by Mark Bellhorn, Renteria, and Bill Mueller around the infield. The grass will have Manny Ramirez, Johnny Damon, and Trot Nixon trampling it, and David Ortiz "Big Papi" will DH again this sesaon.

Is there any reason not to think it will be another Yankees/Red Sox ALCS, not at all. In fact, this team has the best chance to repeat of any team this millenium.