December Prediction: No Repeat
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by Falcon02520
I know that it is the middle of December... but...
In 2007, the Boston Red Sox were seemingly the best team in baseball all year. It seems only fitting that they won the World Series. Don't get used to it Sox fans; it isn't going to happen next year.
There are many reasons in which it can be said that the Red Sox will not be repeat World Series Champions. First of which is that historically teams do not repeat. Over the last thirty years only three franchises have won the World Series in consecutive years (1977-78 Yankees, 1992-93 Blue Jays, 1998-99-2000 Yankees). This means that out of the last thirty World Series Championships only times has a franchise that won the previous year won it again. This doesn't mean that the Red Sox can't be one of these teams. This is history, and Boston (especially Boston) knows that history means jack; anything is possible.
I've got five more reasons in which Boston will not repeat; the Angels, Tigers, Indians, Yankees, and National League. The National League is included on this list because the NL is guaranteed to be represented in the World Series; therefore, a National League team has just as much of a chance at winning the World Series as does the American League teams (no matter how much "better" the AL may be).
The New York Yankees are always a threat to the Sox. Playing in the same division will make the race for a playoff spot all that much more difficult for both teams. The Yank's turn-around last year shows the resiliency of the players that will (for the most part) make up the team again this up-coming year. It also shows that they are never out of a race and should never be discounted. The reason for this turn-around was their pitching. Young talents such as Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes are reasons to look forward to the up-coming season. Even without Clemens (and possibly Pettitte), this pitching staff with enter the year healthy and ready to take back their division crown.
The Tribe almost made it to the final series last year; putting up one hell of a fight in the ALCS versus the Red Sox. Not much is going to change for this team. Normally that would be a bad thing, but in this case it may not be so bad. Kenny Lofton may be gone, but if that is the biggest piece that will be missing, their chances look good for next year. And don't forget C.C. and Fausto at the top of the rotation may be the best in all of baseball.
Way out west there are the Los Angeles, California Angels of Anaheim in Orange County team. Whatever they want to call themselves this year won't change the fact that these guys can flat out play some ball. The addition of Jon Garland solidifies a solid pitching rotation lead by ace John Lackey, and consisting of solid hurlers Kelvim Escobar, Ervin Santana, and Jered Weaver (possiblly Joe Saunders depending if Garland works out or not). The real strength of this team is going to lay in the hands of their offense. I'm not sure how many people realize how potent this line-up will be this year (arguably the next best line-up after Detriot); up and coming players such as Erick Aybar, Mike Napoli, Howie Kendrick, and Casey Kotchman; the return of Juan Rivera (who was on the edge of breaking-out before his leg injury costs him most of last season); proven veterans such as Chone Figgins, Gary Matthews Jr., and Garret Anderson; and top-of-the-line sluggers in Torii Hunter and Vlad. Who wants to try and pitch to that?
But for the real reason that the Boston Red Sox will not repeat as World Series Champions in 2008, it is because of the Detroit Tigers. Can anybody say "STACKED;" because they are full of talent offensively and defensively. With the acquisition of Miguel Cabrera, this line-up is now without any doubt, the best in the Majors. A possible line-up may look to be as follows:
2. Placido Polanco - 2B
3. Magglio Ordonez - RF
4. Miguel Cabrera - 3B
5. Gary Sheffield - DH
6. Carlos Guillen - 1B
7. Edgar Renteria - SS
8. Jacque Jones - LF
9. Ivan Rodriguez - CA
Bench - Marcus Thames, Ryan Raburn, Brandon Inge (if he stays)
This is the real reason Johan wants out of Minnesota; he doesn't want to face this more than once or twice, and who can blame him? Seriously now, this is the best line-up in the league, but it is only part of the reason that the Tigers are front-runners for the crown in 2008; the pitching staff is amazing. Here is a little known secret about how to win in baseball: Pitching, and Detriot has just that. The rotation consists of Jeremy Bonderman, Justin Verlander, Nate Robertson, Kenny Rogers, and now Dontrelle Willis; the bull-pen will be rejuvenated by the return of Joel Zumaya; and Todd Jones will close the door in the ninth. Good luck beating these guys.
The Sox are still one of the elite teams in the league. Not much has changed thus far; Josh Beckett is still unbelievable, Curt Schilling is in place to do it again, Dice-K isn't what was expected but still isn't bad, Jon Lester is back, Papelbon and Okajima will solidify the bullpen again, and Tim Wakefield and Mike Timlin are still there. Plus Clay Buchholz should be let loose this year. The infield is again solid with Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, Mike Lowell, and Julio Lugo. The outfield will be interesting with JD Drew, and Coco Crisp trying to keep their jobs from the up-coming talents of Brandon Moss and Jacoby Ellsbury. And Manny and Big Papi will again solidify the middle of the order. A very solid team all-around.
Can the Sox repeat? Yes. Will they repeat? No, other teams have gotten better, and where the Sox may still have the best team, they will not go all the way this year. There is just too much talent across the American League for the Sox to even make it too the World Series. The road to the World Series goes through Boston because they are the reigning champs, but Boston is going to have to fend off four more elite teams in the league that keep getting stronger. Boston can win the World Series, but if you ask for my opinion, they won't...
Maybe if they get Santana, I might change my tune, but until then...
