X factors

by spinz on Mar 14, 2008 1:44 AM EDT

Going into last year the buzz was all about dice-k. How would he adjust? How would hitters adjust? was there really a gyro ball? would he win a million cy youngs? was he cut out to start at all? He was easily the largest media focus at the start of the season. This year theres nothing that comes close in terms of media-hype frenzy, but we have no shortage of large question marks. While it'l be interesting to see how dice-k pitches i think hes the very least of our worries right now. In part due to the status of schilling and beckett, we suddenly have a team full of potential x-factors, where theres no sense of certainty about how alot of these guys are going to perform. These factors could lead to huge gains or they could lead to the team falling apart. Which question mark do you think is the most important??

Poll

Which X factor do you feel will be most important in determing the sox's success??

the crisp vs ellsbury dilema

0 votes

lugo vs lowrie situation

1 votes

other

1 votes

bartolo colon

4 votes

beckett

7 votes

buchholz

5 votes

lester

1 votes

schilling

1 votes

the bullpen

2 votes

manny

0 votes

22 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Re: X factors

I voted for Schilling.

A healthy, fresh Schilling down the stretch could give the Red Sox a huge boost when the rest of the team is fighting fatigue and the wear and tear of 3/4 of a season.

Colon would be my next vote. If he sticks with the team and is effective, that would be a huge coup and really make up for the unanticipated loss of Schilling. I'm not counting on it though. My bet is 12 starts before he's too ineffective to be of use.

I think Beckett will be fine. He might have some issues in the beginning of the season, but if the Sox are smart and get him totally healthy (even if that's May) it shouldn't be an issue the rest of the season.

If Buchholz can be Joo-lian Tavarez good this season, the Red Sox won't be any worse off than last year. I think he can do it.

Lester would be my 3rd vote for X-Factor. He's slotted in as the 4th starter and will probably pitch like one. However, if he does better or worse than that it could have significant ramifications on the Sox. Lester really needs to be able to go more than 5 innings per start, or the bullpen will suffer.

No major concerns about the bullpen. Injury, fatigue and overuse are the major obstacles.

Manny will have 30+ HR and 100+ RBI. He certainly will not hurt the team.

Crisp vs. Ellsbury: it doesn't really matter. If we can keep both happy it'll be a big boost to the team in terms of depth.

Lugo vs. Lowrie: this is a non-factor. It's Lugo. Lowrie needs at least another year.

Dice-K should be slightly improved.

"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.

by SoxDevil on Mar 14, 2008 9:52 AM EDT reply actions

Re: X factors

One disclaimer: If the Red Sox make the postseason (fingers crossed), Beckett is the X-Factor in terms of our ultimate success. <understatement>His track record is very good</understatement>, so I'm optimistic.

"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.

by SoxDevil on Mar 14, 2008 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions

I voted for other...

I honestly think what the Sox do in April will determine the rest of the season.

This stupid Japan trip, and the tough April schedule will make things very complicated from the beginning.

In April we play,

MFY
Clev.
Angels
Tigers
Blue Jays
Rays
Rangers
A's

Getting off to a hot start will be crucial in 2008.

by Matzushocka on Mar 14, 2008 1:43 PM EDT reply actions

Re: X factors

How is Manny an x-factor? He's the best hitter on the team? I know Papi had better numbers last year, but when push comes to shove, Manny is the better hitter.

by Red Peltic on Mar 14, 2008 6:55 PM EDT reply actions

Re: X factors

i'd say manny is an x factor because hes in his contract year, only hit 20 homeruns last year, and he isnt getting any younger. And with manny being manny hes almost always an unpredictable force:P
If he returns to form it could be the thing that pushes us into the division championship, or he could miss half the season or more leaving a big whole in our order.

by spinz on Mar 14, 2008 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Re: X factors

Im calling it right now...Manny will win the MVP this year (or at least finish in the top 3 of voting:). The only way this doesn't happen is if he gets injured. Manny is on a mission this season.

by Matzushocka on Mar 14, 2008 8:52 PM EDT reply actions

Re: X factors

I forgive you Bill Buckner.

by tommy.otm on Mar 14, 2008 10:21 PM EDT reply actions

Re: X factors

I say bullpen.

How can you win at all without a pen that can shut down hitters once the starters are done?

by Liza on Mar 14, 2008 10:52 PM EDT reply actions

Dice K

He's the "x factor". If he pitches like we all hoped he would last year, we'll be all set.

I forgive you Bill Buckner.

by tommy.otm on Mar 15, 2008 3:05 AM EDT reply actions

Re: X factors

I would say that the X-factor will come from the pitching staff, not the offense. Our lineup is pretty much set, and should be able to produce runs consistently this year. Pitching is a question mark however. With some early-season injuries, Jon Lester is going to have to step up in a big way as we go through some difficult games missing starts from Beckett, Schilling, and possibly others.

by Schulz on Mar 15, 2008 9:45 AM EDT reply actions

Re: X factors

I said that Beckett is the x-factor. If you compare the 2006 team to the 2007 one then the biggest difference is Beckett. Sure we added Drew, Lugo, and Dice-K, but only Dice-K really made a difference out of those guys. Beckett having a 5.01 ERA means no playoffs, Beckett with a 3.27 ERA means playoffs.

by gnick55 on Mar 15, 2008 12:52 PM EDT reply actions