MLB Preview Day 4, Boston Red Sox

Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia, and Jacoby Ellsbury expected to have bounceback 2011 seasons after injuries plagued their 2010 seasons.

2010 Record- 89-73, 3rd place AL East
2010 Triple Crown Leaders- Adrian Beltre, .321 (4th AL), David Ortiz, 32 HR (t-5th AL), David Ortiz/Adrian Beltre, 102 RBI (t-10th AL), Jon Lester, 19 wins (t-2nd AL), Clay Buchholz, 2.33 ERA (2nd AL), Jon Lester, 225 K (3rd AL)

Key Additions- Matt Albers (RHP), Carl Crawford (OF), Adrian Gonzalez (1B), Bobby Jenks (RHP), Andrew Miller (LHP), Dan Wheeler (RHP), Alfredo Aceves (RHP)

Key Losses- Adrian Beltre (3B), Bill Hall (UT), Felipe Lopez (2B), Mike Lowell (IF), Victor Martinez (C), Eric Patterson (OF)

2011 Projected Record- 95-105 wins, 1st place AL East
Manager- Terry Francona (8th season, 654-480)
Best Player- Dustin Pedroia
Best Pitcher- Jon Lester
Biggest Breakout Candidate- Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Biggest Potential Impact Rookie- Michael Bowden

Potential Lineup/Projected Stats
Jacoby Ellsbury, CF- .305/8 HR/55 RBI
Dustin Pedroia, 2B- .310/19 HR/85 RBI
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B- .285/38 HR/115 RBI
Kevin Youkilis, 3B- .320/32 HR/120 RBI
Carl Crawford, LF- .290/25 HR/90 RBI
David Ortiz, DH- .265/30 HR/90 RBI
JD Drew, RF- .270/24 HR/75 RBI
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C- .260/15 HR/55 RBI
Jed Lowrie, SS- .275/16 HR/60 RBI

Projected Rotation/Projected Stats
Jon Lester- 22-6/2.85 ERA/240 K
Clay Buchholz- 17-8/3.60 ERA/165 K
Josh Beckett- 18-6/3.75 ERA/180 K
John Lackey- 16-10/3.95 ERA/140 K
Daisuke Matsuzaka- 14-10/4.30 ERA/150 K
Jonathan Papelbon- 2.70 ERA/42 Saves

Team Outlook: No doubt that this is the best team in the majors on paper.  Looking at the lineup, they are loaded, by far the best in the majors, possibly historically good.  The big additions feature Adrian Gonzalez, who has been one of the game's best hitters despite playing in Petco Park, one of baseball's most pitcher friendly ballparks.  To add to that, he was built for Fenway Park.  Carl Crawford, who will most likely hit 5th, could be a potential 30-30 guy hitting behind A-Gon and Youk and in front of Papi.  To add to that, Ellsbury, Pedroia, and Youkilis should be recovered from the injuries that shortened their 2010 seasons.  The pitching staff should be solid as well, being led by Jon Lester, to go along with Lackey and Beckett, both whom should be better than they were last year, and Daisuke Matsuzaka is the best 5th man in baseball.  The bullpen is solid as well, which should be impacted with newcomers Bobby Jenks, Dan Wheeler, Alfredo Aceves, and Andrew Miller.  Barring injuries, this team should be the best in all of baseball.