The first half has been terrific for the Boston Red Sox and there is not much to criticize the World Champions.
As I have previously reported back in June, the Boston Red Sox have pretty much a perfect team. With the season-ending and possibly career-ending surgery to Red Sox starting pitcher and hero, Curt Schilling, and as well starting pitcher Josh Beckett not being completely himself, they have not missed a beat.Daisuke Matzusaka is having a stellar of a season, as I predicted. The back-end of the rotation, Lester, Colon and Wakefield are doing their duties quite well. Justin Masterson has performed wonderfully when he has to fill-in for the number five spot.
Without David Ortiz, Curt Schilling and not having Josh Beckett perform at his usual level; the Boston Red Sox sit .5 games ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays at first place and six games above the New York Yankees.
The biggest key player for the Boston Red Sox has been Kevin Youkilis at first base defensively and offensively. He is the most underrated player in baseball. But could he keep his play up for the second half of the season? Youkilis is own that he starts to slow down once July comes around. If that happens, you have Dustin Pedroia filling in, defensively and offensively, as well.
For Pedroia it is the opposite. As the season progresses on Pedroia heats up, as you can tell by his season stats. Another underrated player in baseball but that’s how Pedroia likes it. He likes to be the little man on the field hitting .300 and making diving grabs to get the double play ball.
The Boston Red Sox could repeat but this year is much more difficult then last year’s. The main reason is the post-season. Curt Schilling has been the ace hero in the post-season for the Red Sox and this year they will not have him putting on the heroics. So if it comes down to the Red Sox and Angels in the ALCS, who will put on the injured comeback? Who will put in the clutch hit?
Keywords: ALCS, Boston Red Sox, Kevin Youkilis, Post-Season, World Series
Comments
Well I completely agree and feel the Angels, although having the best record in MLB, still lack the clutch performances in the post -season. They are a well rounded team but in the playoffs experience is key. The Red Sox have had a few young pitchers step up and absorb their role quite well. This goes to show that the confidence of the veterans will always calm the nerves of the younger players. I am looking forward to a competetive second half as I am sure the Yanks will attempt to make a run.
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