Red Sox 2012 fearless prediction thread

[BigPapiEnFuego]

Even as constructed we can beat the Rays and Yankees. Let's not act like we're fish out of water.

 

I just can't see that happening. I want to badly but no <_>

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Are they better than us? Yes. Can we beat them is what I'm saying and the answer to that is yes. Basically telling people it's not impossible to beat those 2 teams.

[jacksonianmarch]

Are they better than us? Yes. Can we beat them is what I'm saying and the answer to that is yes. Basically telling people it's not impossible to beat those 2 teams.

 

It's not impossible, and you will beat the Yankees and the Rays at least once in 2012. That's a given. The question is, can your team, as constructed, beat the Yankees and the Rays over the course of 162 games. In a short series, the sox are gonna be tough with the 3 starters (if healthy) and the lineup (even without Scutaro). But over the long haul, there are massive questions remaining to be answered. They did not do what they usually do up to this point, and sure up every massive weakness. They've effectively said that their in house candidates are gonna get it done. They couldnt do it last yr, and it remains to be seen if another yr stronger and wiser will help them this yr

[a700hitter]

The Yankees are a much deeper team than the Sox. The Sox could get some break out performance -- namely from Bard and good health and they could make a run at the division.

 

 

I haven't made my fearless predictions yet because I am hoping that our roster isn't final. When pitchers and catchers report, I'll make my predictions.

[FredLynn]

Even as constructed we can beat the Rays and Yankees. Let's not act like we're fish out of water.

 

The odds are that that will not happen. Anything COULD happen in baseball, but some things are more likely than others. Most experts do not rank the Red Sox higher than either the Yankees or the Rays right now....or the Angels or the Tigers or the Rangers and so forth.

Gird up your loins. Its going to be a long long summer.

[Bellhorn04]

The odds are that that will not happen. Anything COULD happen in baseball, but some things are more likely than others. Most experts do not rank the Red Sox higher than either the Yankees or the Rays right now....or the Angels or the Tigers or the Rangers and so forth.

Gird up your loins. Its going to be a long long summer.

 

Personally I think it's going to be a very entertaining season, especially with Bobby V at the helm.

[Emmz]

The odds are that that will not happen. Anything COULD happen in baseball, but some things are more likely than others. Most experts do not rank the Red Sox higher than either the Yankees or the Rays right now....or the Angels or the Tigers or the Rangers and so forth.

Gird up your loins. Its going to be a long long summer.

 

What experts are we talking about? I always have to snicker when someone says "most people" or "experts". Like they can't come to that conclusion on their own.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

The odds are that that will not happen. Anything COULD happen in baseball, but some things are more likely than others. Most experts do not rank the Red Sox higher than either the Yankees or the Rays right now....or the Angels or the Tigers or the Rangers and so forth.

Gird up your loins. Its going to be a long long summer.

 

Why are people pointing out the fact that the Rays and Yankees are better than us? I already acknowledged that. That's not what I'm trying to say. I don't care what experts say. That's based on predictions. We were listed as favorites to win. Now tell me what happened?

[FredLynn]

What experts are we talking about? I always have to snicker when someone says "most people" or "experts". Like they can't come to that conclusion on their own.

 

One source is the last power rankings that listed us as the 8th ranked team. The people who cover baseball for a living have also written numerous opinions that we are lagging this year.

Who do you consider to be an expert?

[FredLynn]

Personally I think it's going to be a very entertaining season' date=' especially with Bobby V at the helm.[/quote']

 

No doubt. But I doubt it will be fulfilling if you think winning is tantamount to success.

[FredLynn]

To be fair, here are the current Las Vegas odds:

 

http://www.betvega.com/world-series-odds/

[iortiz]

One source is the last power rankings that listed us as the 8th ranked team. The people who cover baseball for a living have also written numerous opinions that we are lagging this year.

Who do you consider to be an expert?

 

... Plus... I already put the money lines from a betting firm, the polls from the globe and right now there's a thread about this from ESPN. They put us in 3rd place in the division. I agree in their overall analysis.

[User Name]

Lol odds. Even the pre-season power rankings are better than that.

[iortiz]

To be fair, here are the current Las Vegas odds:

 

http://www.betvega.com/world-series-odds/

 

Well, we are behind LAA, DET, NY and TEX according with this.

[SoxSport]

The Yankees are a much deeper team than the Sox. The Sox could get some break out performance -- namely from Bard and good health and they could make a run at the division.

 

 

.

 

Amazing how just one year can change the perception.

 

The truth is luck and injuries will determine the outcome of the season.

 

For example, what happens if the Red Sox are actually in shape to begin the season?

They're saying now they weren't in shape last April, which is what some of us suspected.

[SoxSport]

Well' date=' we are behind LAA, DET, NY and TEX according with this.[/quote']

 

That's in accordance with who spent the most money pre-season. I would put the Red Sox right in there with those teams. I give credit to the Tigers and the Rangers, who are hanging in there against the NY/LA markets with the big TV revenues.

 

Where would the Red Sox be if they had a new TV contract which gave them an extra $100 million to spend this year? That's the Angels.

[iortiz]

That's in accordance with who spent the most money pre-season and a already solid core-base. I would put the Red Sox right in there with those teams. I give credit to the Tigers and the Rangers, who are hanging in there against the NY/LA markets with the big TV revenues.

 

Where would the Red Sox be if they had a new TV contract which gave them an extra $100 million to spend this year? That's the Angels.

 

Fixed.

 

The Marlins are in that category (who spent most money) and are below us.

[seabeachfred]

Are they better than us? Yes. Can we beat them is what I'm saying and the answer to that is yes. Basically telling people it's not impossible to beat those 2 teams.

 

Yes 305 we COULD beat them. Yes we could win the division. However, for that to happen a lot of things would have to break our way. For one thing the Yankees and Rays are deeper, much deeper in starting pitching than we are. Our so-called "Big Three" would have to pitch their asses off, go deep and I mean deep into games, win big and stay in one piece all season long, maybe missing no more than one or two starts apiece. Our hitting and defense would have to operate on all cylinders ALL season. That's a lot to ask; it is not impossible by any means but it is an arduous task.

 

One thing I insist will be a strength for us. Bobby Valentine will not cost the Red Sox between 10-12 games this year through miserable and incompetent managing in the dugout. I know this rankles the Franconian forces on his and on other boards but the former manager was a very poor strategist who was slow pulling struggling pitchers, played a dull station-to-station game, and was so predictable the opposition could just sit back and wait for the inevitable double play that would kill another rally or wait until he failed to change a pitcher in time. It is now clear he went with a pre-game program and was loathe to move away from it even when the occasion demanded.

 

The opposition will not be able to do that with Bobby V. He is a very good game manager, is an hard to predict as Joe Maddon is, and knows how to handle a pitching staff. That ought to be an improved strength for us, a big improvement.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

This team is not that bad. A lot of overreacting. Who the f*** thought the Yankees would succeed with a rotation that consisted of CC-Hughes(who ended up being sent down)-Burnett(lol)-The fat pig Colon-and Nova. You couldn't possibly convince me before the 2011 season telling me they were going to go places.

 

Also note to people who make their predictions based on experts...gtfo. Pull out stats or some s***. Experts? EXPERTS? Lmao, you've got to be kidding me.

[mvp 78]

RSFFL, didn't you know that DET is an amazing team now they have Prince, lost VMart, and gained nothing else?!?!?

[mvp 78]

And if Shields regresses to pre2010 form, the Rays are notbetter than the Sox.

[redsoxfan3]

And if Shields regresses to pre2010 form' date=' the Rays are notbetter than the Sox.[/quote']

 

I am really interested to see how Matt Moore does. He has a lot of potential and looked good for the Rays at the end of the season. If he has a great year, then the Rays pitching will be solid. If Price, Shields, and Hellickson all have a dropoff in numbers, then the Rays will be in trouble. I think they have one of the better rotations in the American League, but it is going to take every single one of them to play like they did last year if they want to do good. The problem there is there rotation put up solid numbers, but Shields only went 16-12, Price went 12-13, and Hellickson went 13-10. They all had good ERA's and good WHIP's, but it still wasn't enough a lot of the time to get them wins. That is all that matters. They could be amazing pitchers, but if they don't get the run support and help from the pen, then that will be a problem. You can't pitch as good as them and only have starters that have a win% of right around .500. That will hurt your team. I think if we can keep Lester, Beckett, and Buchholz healthy the majority of the year then we will be able to compete with the Rays.

[User Name]

I am really interested to see how Matt Moore does. He has a lot of potential and looked good for the Rays at the end of the season. If he has a great year' date=' then the Rays pitching will be solid. If Price, Shields, and Hellickson all have a dropoff in numbers, then the Rays will be in trouble. I think they have one of the better rotations in the American League, but it is going to take every single one of them to play like they did last year if they want to do good. The problem there is there rotation put up solid numbers, but Shields only went 16-12, Price went 12-13, and Hellickson went 13-10. They all had good ERA's and good WHIP's, but it still wasn't enough a lot of the time to get them wins. That is all that matters. They could be amazing pitchers, but if they don't get the run support and help from the pen, then that will be a problem. You can't pitch as good as them and only have starters that have a win% of right around .500. That will hurt your team. I think if we can keep Lester, Beckett, and Buchholz healthy the majority of the year then we will be able to compete with the Rays.[/quote']

 

The Rays' offense will be a question mark once again. Let's see if they get fluke seasons from guys like Casey Kotchman again.

[FredLynn]

This team is not that bad. A lot of overreacting. Who the f*** thought the Yankees would succeed with a rotation that consisted of CC-Hughes(who ended up being sent down)-Burnett(lol)-The fat pig Colon-and Nova. You couldn't possibly convince me before the 2011 season telling me they were going to go places.

 

Also note to people who make their predictions based on experts...gtfo. Pull out stats or some s***. Experts? EXPERTS? Lmao, you've got to be kidding me.

 

You want to know WHY the experts pick the Sox to finish below the Rays and Yankees? Here is the ugly truth: we have done NOTHING to improve our pitching this offseason. And our pitching for the last three years finished 9th, 9th, and 7th in the AL in ERA. Thats why the experts pick us to have a tough year, which we will have unless something changes.

[a700hitter]

Moore looked like a stud for the Rays.

[SoxSport]

You want to know WHY the experts pick the Sox to finish below the Rays and Yankees? Here is the ugly truth: we have done NOTHING to improve our pitching this offseason. And our pitching for the last three years finished 9th' date=' 9th, and 7th in the AL in ERA. Thats why the experts pick us to have a tough year, which we will have unless something changes.[/quote']

 

I think just adding Buchholz for a full season is a significant improvement in pitching. assuming that actually happens. The other thing they did was get a couple of young guys on the cheap who can close. Plus they may have added a formidable starter in Bard. They subtracted Pap, who had a contract year last year after sucking two years in a row.

 

The "experts" pick teams on the basis of how much money they spend off-season. Last year they picked the Red Sox.That shows how smart they are.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if the Red Sox are the "surprise" team this year. Compared to last year, they have nowhere to go but up. Can you imagine them coming out of Spring Training in shape this year? Bobby V. might be smiling now, but you know the Country Club atmosphere is history. A factor which has somehow escaped the media to this point.

[a700hitter]

I think just adding Buchholz for a full season is a significant improvement in pitching. assuming that actually happens. The other thing they did was get a couple of young guys on the cheap who can close. Plus they may have added a formidable starter in Bard. They subtracted Pap' date=' who had a contract year last year after sucking two years in a row.[/b']

 

The "experts" pick teams on the basis of how much money they spend off-season. Last year they picked the Red Sox.That shows how smart they are.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if the Red Sox are the "surprise" team this year. Compared to last year, they have nowhere to go but up. Can you imagine them coming out of Spring Training in shape this year? Bobby V. might be smiling now, but you know the Country Club atmosphere is history. A factor which has somehow escaped the media to this point.

paps sucked in 2009? Your standards are very high. Don't you remember what 9th innings were like before Papelbon? With the exception of 1 year of Keith Foulke, they were very frightening. Even in his 1 good year Foulke blew 7 saves. By comparison, Paps had only 3 blown saves in 2009.

 

And doesn't the 5th spot in the rotation matter? Who will that be?

[SoxSport]

paps sucked in 2009? Your standards are very high. Don't you remember what 9th innings were like before Papelbon? With the exception of 1 year of Keith Foulke, they were very frightening. Even in his 1 good year Foulke blew 7 saves. By comparison, Paps had only 3 blown saves in 2009.

 

And doesn't the 5th spot in the rotation matter? Who will that be?

 

Yeah. Pap was on the decline prior to last year. His numbers were going south. No more splitter. He turned it around last year. Can he sustain it? I don't know. He's closed a lot of years. The Red Sox weren't willing to find out for the money he wanted. I wish him well in Philly. They sure will look stupid letting Madsen go for less, if Pap doesn't pan out.

[SoxSport]

Fixed.

 

The Marlins are in that category (who spent most money) and are below us.

 

 

Read an article in the LA Times that said Pujols had to be signed to get the Angels' TV ratings up. They just signed a big local TV contract with Fox, but had low ratings previously. They needed a big star to improve their TV ratings!

 

I don't know what the cable TV situation is in Miami, but I do know the Marlin owners got the city to build the stadium with bonds. Big stink about it in South Florida.Payoffs, etc. Apparently, the city isn't getting any of the concessions or luxury box revenues. Luxury boxes are a big chunk of ticket revenues these days--if you look into it. The owners are still taking a big chance, however, spending a lot of money on FAs. They have to fill the park.

[a700hitter]

Yeah. Pap was on the decline prior to last year. His numbers were going south. No more splitter. He turned it around last year. Can he sustain it? I don't know. He's closed a lot of years. The Red Sox weren't willing to find out for the money he wanted. I wish him well in Philly. They sure will look stupid letting Madsen go for less' date=' if Pap doesn't pan out.[/quote']He had an off year in 2010, but he was pretty damn good in 2009.