Will The Boston Red Sox Win The World Series Again This Year?

By Author: Mark Anderson
Total Articles: 113
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That is the question on everyone's mind in Red Sox Nation as the baseball season gets ready to start. This off-season was busy, especially with the steroids controversy heating up after the Mitchell report was issued. The good news is that during the off-season, the Red Sox managed to keep most of the 2007's World Series winning team intact.

The 2008 season starts on March 25th and the first game they play is against the Oakland Athletics' - in Tokyo, Japan. That would be an amazing game to attend.

The line-up for the Red Sox is basically unchanged this season with the exception of a few new rookies who were picked up to add more depth. And there are three stars-in-the-making returning rookies from last year, Ellsbury, Buchholz and Pedroia.

One of the biggest things that stops any team from making it to the playoffs - whether its baseball, hockey or football for example - is the loss of players that helped hold the team together. Missing team leaders can make a team lose their zeal and emotion. Without passion and emotion, it's virtually impossible to win it all. And that's what ...
... happened to the Red Sox after their 2004 World Series win; they lost a number of their important players such as Pedro Martinez, Derek Lowe and Orlando Cabrera.

One reason why key Sox players Mike Lowell and Curt Schilling stuck around for less money and fewer years than they could have gotten in other destinations is because they know that the team has an excellent chance of winning back-to-back World Series. I also suspect that they also remained with the Red Sox because they know they are part of something special, and have a real sense of loyalty to the club.

The outfielders will be same in '08. This will be Manny's eighth season as the team's starting left fielder. But it's also the end of the eight-year, $160 million contract. However, Boston holds $20 million options on Manny for 2009 and '10.

The Red Sox outfield in 2008 will consist of Manny Ramirez in left field, J.D. Drew in right field, and either Ellsbury or Crisp in center field. So far, the Red Sox haven't traded Coco Crisp, which was rumored, so it might end up being a fierce competition between the two for the position. A team needs more than three men for the outfield to make it to the playoffs anyway. Crisp underperformed last year, and Ellsbury became a playoff hero last year, but both have their strengths and weaknesses.

Both consistency and passion are big parts of the game. The hitters have to hit long, and pitchers have to make the other team miss. The season is very long, and endurance and consistency is what gets teams to the playoffs.

Fortunately, Boston's pitching rotation looks like it is going to be very similar to last year's. Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, Matsuzaka, Tim Wakefield, and Bucholz or Lester make up a very talented pitching rotation and have all proved their capabilities aleady.

The first half of the Red Sox season looks only mildly challenging. Based on the player's statistics and track records alone, the Red Sox look like they should win the '08 World Series if the line-up doesn't change, at least on paper. But once again, these guys have to play with heart and be consistent.

If the Boston Red Sox can avoid injuries, illnesses, and steroids issues, they have a good chance at going all the way once again. The team is strong and although some players have filed for arbitration in order to increase their salaries, there have been no signs of any of the players leaving the ball club. The New York Yankees are still aimlessly drifting in an effort to finish filling their roster; while the Red Sox only need a fourth outfielder and lefty batter to round out their roster.

There are also negotiations still in the works regarding Johan Santana, a possible addition to the Red Sox's final roster. Once again, only time will tell. But the two time Cy Young Award winner would definitely make an impact on the team. The Boston Red Sox need to snatch him up before the Yankees or the Mets.

The only thing that is going to stand in the way of the Red Sox not running away with the World Series against this year is simply themselves. If they play smart, stay healthily, and remain passionate about the game, then back to back wins could very well be in the cards for them.

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About the Author:

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Mark Anderson writes for www.BestShowTicketsLasVegas.com
where you can buy cheap Boston Red Sox tickets
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