It promises to be an exciting year for Red Sox Nation, the 2007 edition of the Boston Red Sox is an improved team but not without some serious question marks as we head into Spring Training. The story will begin to unfold at City of Palms Park in Fort Myers, Florida where the Red Sox begin what hopes to be a successful MLB baseball season in the highly competitive AL East. Not only will the Sox have to content with arch rivals New York Yankees but the second place Toronto Blue Jays appear to be an improved team, after making some major league signings and improvments during the off season.

Boston Red Sox 2007 Edition

The Red Sox will begin the season with one of the most feared batting lineups in all of Major League Baseball. With Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz, Jason Varitek, J.D. Drew and friends opposing pitchers have plenty to worry about. Both Jason Varitek and Coco Crisp had disapointing injury-ridden seasons last year, but both are expected to rebound in 2007.

The Red Sox infield should pack far more punch at the plate with Julio Lugo (.277 career) a clear at bat improvement over the departed Alex Gonzalez (.246 career). The Red Sox have several key areas with question marks; second base for one. The Sox starting second base job will be a battle between veteran Alex Cora and Dustin Pedroia. The other major void is the lack of a clear closer going into spring. The good news is the Red Sox have a barn full of strong arms - the hope is one or two will rise to the occasion. Look for Joel Pineiro or J.C. Romero to get the call. With orginal Boston dirt dog Trot Nixon gone, the Rightfield job will go to expensive newcomer J.D. Drew. Drew will have high expectations and a less than patient Boston crowd to deal with. It will be a long hot summer in Boston for J.D. and the bleacher boo-birds if he fails to get off to a quick start. Hopefully Drew will fare better than Wily Mo Pena. Theo's folly has been a big free swinging disapointment both at bat and at every position the team has tried him at. The Red Sox hot corner is solid, they have an outstanding fielder and clutch hitter in third baseman Mike Lowell. Lowell is likely to share the position with Kevin Youkilis as the Sox Manager Tito Francona finds a way to get Wily Mo Pena into the lineup. Of course it is early to predict on Opening Day lineup but expect the regular season opening day lineup to go something like this.

• - Kevin Youkilis - 1B
• - Julio Lugo - SS
• - Manny Ramirez - LF
• - David Ortez - DH
• - J. D. Drew - RF
• - Jason Varitek - C
• - Mike Lowell - 3B
• - Coco Crisp - CF
• - Alex Cora - 2B

Boston Red Sox 2007 Pitching Projections

The Red Sox have what appears to be a solid starting rotation. Veterans Curt Schilling, Josh Beckett, Tim Wakefield, Julian Tavarez, Mike Timlin, and Kyle Snyder join Daisuke Matsuzaka, Manny Delcarmen, Jon Lester, Craig Hansen, and Jonathan Papelbon. The Red Sox also have newcomers Brendan Donnelly, Hideki Okajima, Joel Pineiro, and J.C. Romero. The media attention will be on Dice-K - the highly touted Japanese pitching star this spring but the Red Sox real quagmire could be the BullPen, especially a reliable closer. Last year, Jonathan Papelbon was just about as good as you can be in the role but too much action proved disatisfaction in his right shoulder. A wake up call that even youth is not invincible. The challenge will be to find a suitable replacement. If you are wondering where to find Boston Red Sox Baseball on the radio or television visit our media section for a comprehensive list organized by state. Red Sox fans will find the Sox games on radio stations throughout New England - a testimony to the popularity of the Boston Red Sox here.

- Biff Burke
for Red Sox Network and NorthernNewEngland.com

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