Boston Hope Springs Anew

It is almost here...waiting to pounce...like spring itself.

The Red Sox season. Approaching to a TV set near you.

Sure, you have heard the hype. The Red Sox can't capture that spirit again. How can they emulate last year's miraculous performance? Lightning can never be caught in a bottle twice.

Well, I am here to tell you that it can. And probably will.

Now, I don't think they will be a 100 win team. However, like Steve Buckley, Lou Merloni, and Mike Felger, I do believe they will be a 92+ win team.  

Here's three reasons why.

STARTING PITCHING: The Sox have a lot of it. They are solid, proven, and performed well last year. They are all veterans - as of now - and even their depth in the minors has experience. This should be a solid strength.

DEPTH: The bench and the bullpen are again first rate. The fact that Jackie Bradley was one of several solid hitters to return to Pawtucket lets you know just how deep this team is. Sure, they may have lost Ellsbury....but he is definitely replaceable. The depth they have around will help replace his production - and others' - and also provide for a smooth year. Incidentally, the PawSox should be pretty darn good, too.

NO PRESSURE: A lot of people think the Sox have pressure to repeat. Sure, last year caught us by surprise, but fans know this team is still in the evolution process. There was a degree of happenchance last year - though everyone knew the misery of the previous year was an aberration. Still, this team was good last year and will be this year. However, fans know that this year is still a step on the journey.

As you can see, there is no doubt that this year, the Sox should be a first place team once again.