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no higher than 4th in division imo
Might as well start it early.
Few more weeks till the magic happens.
no higher than 4th in division imo
I'll be happy if we are over .500.
I have higher hopes.
I have a feeling the Yankees will bomb this season.
C'mon son, a little bit more hope. I understand the last couple of years have been bleak but over 500 is what you're aiming for? lol
Playoffs or bust baby.
I think they'll have a surprise season. With Farrell, I think the Sox's arms will improve greatly. That, and there won't be any Bobby V drama this season...
The Yankees will have a slow start to their season for the first 3 months or so with all those injuries...
Yep, hopefully they dig themselves in a deep enough hole that it will take them the whole season to regroup.
Ok, let me rephrase... I EXPECT over .500, I'll hope for a 'ship.
That would be ideal but not realistic after the last few years. Still though, POs are a good posibility.Ok, let me rephrase... I EXPECT over .500, I'll hope for a 'ship.
Last year was a great cluster but even when they started struggling in 2010 and 11' they were at least several games over .500 so I know they can do that with some consistency.
I know there are more questions and concerns about the starting pitching, but I'm curious as to how the batting order will shape up. I think with them losing a lot of their power in the line up, they need to take Ellsbury from the leadoff spot and move him down and hope he provides some power like he did a couple years ago. Even if it's one spot to 2nd, at least get him in position for a few more RBIs. Is Mike Napoli really going to be a 3 or 4 hitter? Looking at who expect to be the regular line-up, it's hard not to put Napoli in one of those main run producing spots. They'll really need Middlebrooks to take the next step too.
I'll take a stab at the everyday line-up, at least what I think makes the most sense.
Pedroia, 2B
Ellsbury, CF
Napoli, 1B
Ortiz, DH
Middlebrooks, 3B
Victorino, RF
Gomes, LF
Salty, C
Drew, SS
I think Ellsbury would bat first, with Pedroia 2nd. And depending on how good Middlebrooks is, I could see him batting 3rd, and Napoli/Victorino batting 5th.
I don't know what they're expecting from Middlebrooks, but I don't see him as a 3 hitter at least not to start the season. I will say this about Napoli too. His ABs have been limited throughout his career because of the position he played. Give him 600 ABs every year, and he'd be a perennial 30 HR guy. And now he'll get those ABs playing 1B as long as he stays healthy. And while he may not be the greatest hitter for average, he has been pretty good most his career at getting on base. He seems like a better option to hit third than Middlebrooks at least for now.
Middlebrooks had some decent numbers last year:
At-Bats: 267
Avg: .288
OBP: .325
SLG: .509
HRs: 15
RBI: 54
If he can come back healthy, and hits like he hit last year, he's capable of putting up 30 HRs as well. Now, Napoli has better on-base percentage and slugging, so I wouldn't mind him at 3rd.
Will be interesting to see if he can take the next step. He's definitely got promise.
So what's the starting rotation?
Lester, Dempster, Buccholz, Lackey, Doubront? Is Bard going to get another shot at starting?
God no. By all accounts, Bard crashing and burning last year put an end to that experiment. He's strictly an 8th inning (maybe sometimes 7th) pitcher. Not sure where Dempster will line up, as Lackey is supposedly pitching better since the surgery. The only thing I'm sure of is Lester at the top. Doubront as an experiment at the 5 is likely, he's earned it.
Actually I think the Yankees will find a way to make at least the playoffs despite the injuries. They always find a way.
The Blue Jays will the bed, though.
Got Ellsbury on my fantasy team...Will he return to form?????
Dempster is trash, tbh
As a Rangers fan, I concur.
Just like that we're over .500
Bard was a power pitcher with so-so control and he has now lost ~4 mph of his fastball. Maybe he should get preemptive TJ surgery because he seems about cooked.
As a third starter? Maybe
As a fourth starter? no
If Doubie keeps progressing as James projects and/or if Lackey bounces back after TJ then Dempster will be a major plus for his role.
I am more concerned about Hanrahan and Bailey taking a and Papi's health.
Just like that we're over .500
Boston going back to their old tricks. Losing games they had won.
Allowing 5 runs in the 9th when up 2 and 1 out away from winning the game.
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