2008 World Series prediction - the Boston Red Sox will repeat
Posted by: Richie Rich in 2008 MLB, Red SoxThe champagne probably hasn’t been cleaned out of the visitors’ clubhouse at Coors Field after the Red Sox champagnedalized it last night.
Jonathan Papelbon hasn’t done his enthusiastic riverdance down the streets of Boston during the victory parade. No championship rings have been distributed. They haven’t raised their 2007 World Championship banner. Boston’s collective hangover hasn’t even begun to wear off.
But that won’t stop me from making a prediction for 2008.
The Red Sox will repeat as World Series Champions. You heard it here first.
The 2007 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox held off a late-charging Yankee squad to win the American League East en route to a tie for best record (96-66) in the American League and home-field advantage in the playoffs. They did it with a great combination of hitting (.279/.362/.444) , fielding (.986 2nd -AL), and pitching - both while starting (4.21 ERA - 2nd AL) and in relief (3.10 ERA - 1st AL).
Once in the playoffs they steamrolled three 90-win teams.
- Swept the 94-68 AL West Champion Anaheim Angels in three games
- Beat the 96-66 AL Central Champion Cleveland Indians in seven games, but took the final three games of the series by outscoring the Indians 30-5
- Swept the 90-73 NL Champion Colorado Rockies (who were riding a 21-1 streak coming into the World Series) in four games
And almost all those pieces will be back for next season … and beyond.
- LF Manny Ramirez - signed through 2008 with club options for 2009-10
- DH David Ortiz - signed through 2010 with club option for 2011
- RF J.D. Drew - signed through 2011
- CF Coco Crisp - signed through 2009 with club option for 2010
- SS Julio Lugo - signed through 2010 with vesting option for 2011
- C Jason Varitek - signed through 2008
- SP Josh Beckett - signed through 2009 with club option for 2010
- SP Daisuke Matsuzaka - signed through 2012
- RP Hideki Okajima - signed through 2008 with club option for 2009
And those are just the big contracts.
Rookies Dustin Pedroia (2B) and Jacoby Ellsbury (OF) will be back. Ellsbury likely becomes the starting centerfielder - which makes Coco Crisp either a fabulous 4th outfielder or trade bait. The Red Sox could (should) bring back World Series MVP Mike Lowell at third base. They’ll bring back 1B Kevin Youkilis. Or they could try to make a splash in free agency.
The Red Sox will likely part ways with Matt Clement and possibly Curt Schilling, so there could be a need for a presence in the rotation- but I think the Sox will go after that in the offseason - Johan Santana? Youngsters Jon Lester and no-hit man Clay Bucholz will be back. Levitating closer Jonathan Papelbon will be back.
And management seems to know what they’re doing off the field as well.
Red Sox skipper Terry Francona is managing this ballclub very successfully and has the players’ trust and faith. He’s 8-0 in two World Series sweeps. His track record thus far is stellar, blending a clubhouse of young and veteran players into the true essence of a team. Plus - he’s got to contend with Manny being Manny.
GM Theo Epstein is finding players which fit the needs of the ballclub and spending the money necessary to acquire ones it while younger players develop. Ownership is not afraid to spend money to compete with the Yankees or anyone else.
The Red Sox are and will be the class of the American League. Likely for years to come.
The 20th Century belonged to the New York Yankees. The 21st Century is looking pretty good for the Boston Red Sox.
Entries (RSS)
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:27 pm
All that has to be said is carlos zambrano and kosuke fukudome.
cubs.
redsox wont even make the ALCS
December 22nd, 2007 at 9:34 pm
Personally, I hope you’re right.
January 18th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
no, the diamondbacks will win it all in 08. they have the best starting rotation now with haren. and will produce alot more runs in 08 with some experience under their belts. expect reynolds to hit 40 plus homers this year, maybe young also.
January 23rd, 2008 at 10:24 pm
I hope you are wrong–but you’re probably right. I have to concede that the Tigers have no chance at a WS in my lifetime.
February 12th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
1945 rematch.
Cubs beat Detroit in 7.
Redsox will be out in the first round.
February 15th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Ok mike lopez your completely wrong about the D-Backs havin the best roatation, the Mets do when you have johan santana(1 of the best pitchers 2 ever play the game)you also then have 3 Cy young award winner Pedro Martinez then you have 2 young superstars in John Maine and Oliver Perez but then you have a veteran leader in Orlando Hernandez. I the Mets will win the World Series in their year in Shea
February 18th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Sox wont win it again. I like them over the Yanks in the East but lets be serious here. If Boston Landed Santana lock it up, In Fact they didnt. Cleveland has the best pitching in the Bigs ( C.C. Sabathia won Cy young) Fausto Carmon and CC both won 18 games. The bullpen is the best in the Bigs also. Beckett never has two Great back to back years with Schilling out and Dice- K being no more than Average i think it will be the Indians as the Team to beat in 08. The East might not get the wild card. For the Al Playoffs its gonna be Cleveland, Boston, Seattle, and LA. Thats Right No Yanks, No Tigers. Tigers have a Great Lineup and Great Starters but no Pen Help. Cleveland has the best TEAM in the American League and will Represent them in the WS. Now for the National League i see it being Arizona winning that, They have a Great pitching Staff but Cleveland is the bestteam in baseball Period. CLE over ZONA in 6 in the World Series. ITS TRIBE TIME NOW
February 18th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
The Detroit Tigers will win the World Series. You can bank on that.
American League:
East: Boston Red Sox
Central: Detroit Tigers
West: Los Angeles Angels
Wild Card: Cleveland Indians
ALCS: Tigers over Red Sox in 6 games
World Series: Tigers over Mets in 6 games
World Series MVP: Justin Verlander
February 27th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
In 2004 Ozzie Gullien didn’t take the White Sox to the World Series. The Sox made some key moves in the off-season, Ozzie and the Sox got down to business and played every game like it counted and won it all in 2005. There was a magic in the air as most any White Sox fan could have told you that year. Lou Pinells and the Cubs are going to make the North Siders and the rest of Chicago very happy this year.
There is a similar feeling in the air this year as there was before the start of the 2005 season, only this time it is going to be the Cubs turn. It is Pinella’s second year as manager and he has an even better team than last year. The Cubs have anbundance of good pitching, solid defense and plenty of power.
NL Central - Chicago Cubs
NL East - New York Mets.
NL West - Los Angeles Dodgers
Wild Card - Colorado Rockies
National League Pennant - Chicago Cubs (beating Mets in five games).
AL East - Boston Red Sox
AL Central - Detroit Tigers (will be the powerhouse AL team this year).
AL West - Seattle Mariners
Wild Card - Cleveland Indians
I like the Cubs chances against any of them but I think it will be the Cubs over the Mariners in five games.
There is no curse, just ask the 2004 Red Sox and the 2005 White Sox and the 2008 Cubs don’t believe in their supposed curse either and neither do I. Two very hungry teams came out of decades long dry spells in 2004 and 2005. I believe the Cubs will do the same.
February 27th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
brian c -
I like that.
You want a blogging spot at HRD? Contact me.
February 27th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
You know pisses me off about everybody since last October was the fact that the Rockies were the better team in 2007 and nobody gives a hoot. Everyone thinks that 2007 was nothing but a fluke. Well in 2008 it’ll be the Colorado Rockies winning the NL West and returning to the World Series and if we happen to play the Red Sux again then we’ll prove to them and the whole nation that the Rockies are here to stay and better be given respect.
You all think that having a losing season every year they’ll have another this year. Well sorry to say their intact. Their making their run. They know their better. They know what all of you think of them. Guess what. They don’t care. They will be the 2008 World Champions this year. Here’s my predictions for the rest of the league:
NL West: Colorado Rockies
NL Central: Chicago Cubs
NL East: New York Mets
NL Wildcard: St. Louis Cardinals
AL West: Oakland Athletics
AL Central: Minnesota Twins
AL East: New York Yankees
AL Wildcard: Boston Red Sux
NLDS: Rockies def. Cardinals (4 games); Cubs def. Mets (Sweep)
NLCS: Rockies def. Cardinals (5 games)
ALDS: Athletics def. Red Sux (5 games); Yankees def. Twins (4 games)
ALDS: Athletics def. Yankees (6 games)
World Series: Rockies def. Athletics (7 games)
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:59 am
Uhh, … Anyone heard of the Cleveland Indians? If not, you’re going to, when they are AL Champions this year, and beat the LA Dodgers in the World Series.
May 29th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
It would be a shame if Yankee Stadium didn’t get to see one final World Series.
June 11th, 2008 at 11:29 am
Cubs beat Boston in 5 in the World Series!
Chicago goes crazy!
MVP of the World Series=Alfonso Soriano!
July 21st, 2008 at 10:18 pm
I hope the LA Angles dont make the world sersis Ihope the dodgers make it and win
July 30th, 2008 at 2:53 am
The Tampa Bay Rays defeat The Chicago Cubs in 7
ALCS Rays 4 Angels 2
NLCS Cubs 4 Mets 1
WS Rays 4 Cubs 3
Rays in 2008
July 31st, 2008 at 2:02 pm
al east- tampa bay rays
al central-chicago white sox
al west-los angeles angels ws- Los angeles angels nl east-…phillies
Chicago Cubs nl central- chicago cubs
nl west- los angeles dodgers
And the rings go to…. al wildcard-boston red sox
Angels nl wildcard-milwaukee brewers