by: Erine Puza'10
The 2009 Boston Red Sox season has been full of ups and downs and a few surprises here and there. At one point in the season it seemed to be that they were the top team to beat in the American League East, and then they weren’t even going to make the MLB Playoffs. But as the regular season schedule is wrapping up now the Red Sox have sealed up the A.L. Wild Card spot and managed to slide into the Postseason.
A huge Red Sox fan and WHS Senior Tomas Ferriter has big expectations for the Red Sox in this years post season, “I feel they should definitely make it all the way to the World Series, and possibly win the whole thing because I believe they have all the tools necessary to beat any team they come across in the Playoffs.” After a disappointing loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2008 ALCS, Tomas Ferriter said, “They have something more to prove this time around because they feel they should have beat the Rays last year and move on to the World Series to face the Philadelphia Phillies.”
The Red Sox have all the tools necessary on both sides of the fields to beat any team they face this postseason. They have Jacoby Ellsbury leading off the line-up with great speed and MLB leading 70 steals on the season, and they much power in the middle of the line-up such as Kevin Youkilis, Jason Bay, Victor Martinez, and David Ortiz to deliver some important big hits and home-runs. And their pitching is phenomenal with Josh Beckett and Jon Lester as their One-Two starters who can shut down any team and one of the best bullpens in all MLB lead by Hideki Okajima, Danial Bard, and Billy Wagner who can close the door in late innings against any team. And then Jonathon Papelbon who is one of the best closers in all of baseball to just throw smoke by any batter late in the 9th inning. “They definitely have the offense necessary to put up some big runs against any team, with Jason Bay having over 30 home runs and 100 RBIs this season, and Victor Martinez proving to be a huge pick up for the Red Sox and adding some extra pop to the line up, these two players can help lead the Red Sox over any team they face.” Tomas Ferriter also felt they have the pitching necessary to beat any team they come across, “Josh Beckett and Jon Lester have proved themselves all season long, both have many wins and reasonably low ERAs over the season, and Clay Buchholz has proved that he can be the number 3 starter in the playoffs and shut down any line up.”
After making it to the playoffs but losing to the Tampa Bay Rays last season they have more to prove this year. They managed to edge their way into the postseason with the Wild Card position, and hope to take down any team they face in the playoffs. The Boston Red Sox hope to make it all the way to the World Series and bring home their third World Series Championship in the last five years.