2020 Boston Red Sox MLB Preview
The Boston Red Sox would like to prove that they are a team that can hang with the Yankees this year. However, the improvement of the Tampa Bay Rays and the new talent that the Yankees did bring in this season will definitely make it a challenge for the Red Sox. No matter what, a top 3 finish in the AL East out of the 5 teams is not out of the question and it is more along the lines of will the Red Sox land in 2nd or 3rd.
Boston Red Sox Starting Pitching
The starting pitching for the Red Sox looks decent this year with Eduardo Rodriguez holding down the top spot in the rotation. Last year Rodriguez pitched in 34 games with 203.1 innings. He did give up 195 hits and walked 75 batters while striking out 213 batters while posting a 19-6 record and a 3.81 ERA. The rest of the rotation shape up with Nathan Eovaldi, Martin Perez, Collin McHugh and Ryan Webster. Overall, the top 2 are solid and the 3rd can do good, but is questionable. After that the starting for the Red Sox gets questionable.
Boston Red Sox Relievers
The bullpen for the Red Sox looks like it could be rocky on the year. The Red Sox have Matt Barnes, Heath Hembree, Darwinzon Hernandez, Marcus Walden and Ryan Brasier. The closer for the Red Sox is slated to be Brandon Workman who could cause some major issues for the Red Sox. Last year in 73 game pitched Workman blew 6 saves and only managed to get 16 save with 15 holds. Workman did good on the ERA, though, with a 1.88 ERA.
Boston Red Sox Catchers
Christian Vazquez is slated to be the starting catcher for the Red Sox. Kevin Plawecki and Jonathan Lucroy is the catchers. Vazquez is slated to be the starter and last year he played in 138 games with 23 homers, 72 RBIs, and a .276 average. Defensively Vazquez threw out 37.9% of the runners, but did have an error.
Boston Red Sox Corners
The corners for the Red Sox look fairly solid with Mitch Moreland at first base and Rafael Devers on the hot corner. Michael Chavis is the backup for both positions on the depth chart. Moreland last year only played in 91 games with 19 homers, 58 RBIs, but only hit at a clip of .252. Devers played in 156 games. Devers hit 32 homers, with 115 RBIs, but Devers hit at a clip of .311 on the year.
Boston Red Sox Middle Infield
Michael Chavis is going to man second base for the Red Sox this year and Xander Bogaerts is slated to man shortstop. Jose Peraza is the backup for both positions this year. Chavis last year played in 95 games with 18 homers and 58 RBIS while hitting at a clip of .254. Bogaerts last year was a workhorse with 155 games played, while getting 33 homers and 117 RBIs. Bogaerts ended up hitting at a clip of .309 on the year.
Boston Red Sox Outfield
The Red Sox have been stable in the outfield with Andrew Benintendi in left, Jackie Bradley Jr. in center and Aex Verdugo in right field. The backup for the outfield for the Red Sox is Kevin Pillar. Benintendi last season played in 138 games with 13 homers, 68 RBIs and a .266 average. Jackie Bradley Jr. played in 147 games last year while getting 21 homers, 62 RBIs, but was horrible hitting at .225 on the year. Verdugo is an addition from the Dodgers and last year ht played in 106 games while getting 12 homers, 44 RBIs and hitting at a clip of .294.
Boston Red Sox Designated Hitter
J.D. Martinez is the designated hitter for the Red Sox. Martinez ended up getting 36 homers, with 105 RBIs and managed to hit at a clip of .304 last year for the Red Sox. That is definitely going to be a great source of offensive production for the Red Sox this year.
Boston Red Sox Prediction
The Red Sox do have a good chance to hold the same position they held last year. Yes, the Red Sox did add in some additional players. However, it is not enough for the Red Sox to really overcome the way the Rays have been improving in the recent past and the way that the Yankees played last year. The good news for the Red Sox is the fact that the Blue Jays and Orioles are in the same division and that will definitely make it easier for the Red Sox to feel comfortable in the 3rd place in the AL East.
