Post by Boston Red Sox on Sept 25, 2023 14:59:57 GMT -5
--Boston, Massachusetts
Boston's core four in their build towards getting back to their winning ways has blown away fans expectations to begin the season. Realistically, they can't keep it up forever, but these early outing have shown that Boston has some pieces to be feared on any given day. Last year's Rookie of the Year winner Dustin Pedroia, Multi-Time Gold Glove winner Jimmy Rollins, 30/100 powerhouse Lance Berkman, and Ace Carlos Zambrano have all thrown HOFFBL for a loop in the first two weeks of the year.
Rookie of the Year winner Dustin Pedroia has started his sophomore campaign with a blitz on league pitching. Hitting .357 with 5 doubles, 1 HR, and 7 RBI, along with 16 runs and a league leading 12 stolen bases through 14 games. Sitting at an OPS of .931, and with a .556 average vs LHP, any team with a couple lefty hurlers is going to fear throwing any soft tossing lefty pitchers in front of the Laser Show. Looking to be a top contender for a Gold Glove this year along with his fellow middle infielder Jimmy Rollins, Boston probably sports the most dynamic middle infield combo in the league.
Shortstop Jimmy Rollins stunned the world by stealing 98 bases last year, a feat which was overshadowed by Chipper Jones historic record setting year with 112 bags thieved. Starting this year, he's got a meteoric .409 batting average with 3 doubles, a triple, 10 RBIs and 11 runs scored. His .936 OPS is scarily only 3rd on the team so far. 8 stolen bases in 14 games means he'll be on pace to fight for 100 again if all goes well for the speedster.
Lance Berkman was moved to DH this year to make room for better fielding options acquired by the team this year. Instead of complaining, Berkman embraced the role, and has rocketed 7 HR and 18 RBI in 14 games, hitting .315 with an OPS at 1.089, good for second on the team. Lance being reunited with former teammate Paul Konerko, who took the first base position, definitely helped ease the transition of Berkman to give up the spot without a fight. Reigning MVP Johnny Damon taking the other fielding spot helped too, as Berkman knew both of these players could take the field better than his struggling defense over the years. Boston would love to see Big Puma continue to mash in the DH spot for years to come.
Last but certainly not least is Ace pitcher Carlos Zambrano. Rocketing 16 K's over his first 22.1 innings, with 1 complete game and going 3/3 in quality starts. Sporting a 1.61 ERA and only allowing 2 runs or less in all 3 starts, Zambrano has hopefully put together the pieces of brilliance we have seen flashes of in years prior. Last year being a breakout year for Zambrano with a 2.81 ERA in 275 workhorse innings, winning 21 games for a team that only won 83 made the front office very hopeful he would take this next step into becoming a truly feared pitcher.
Boston's core four in their build towards getting back to their winning ways has blown away fans expectations to begin the season. Realistically, they can't keep it up forever, but these early outing have shown that Boston has some pieces to be feared on any given day. Last year's Rookie of the Year winner Dustin Pedroia, Multi-Time Gold Glove winner Jimmy Rollins, 30/100 powerhouse Lance Berkman, and Ace Carlos Zambrano have all thrown HOFFBL for a loop in the first two weeks of the year.
Rookie of the Year winner Dustin Pedroia has started his sophomore campaign with a blitz on league pitching. Hitting .357 with 5 doubles, 1 HR, and 7 RBI, along with 16 runs and a league leading 12 stolen bases through 14 games. Sitting at an OPS of .931, and with a .556 average vs LHP, any team with a couple lefty hurlers is going to fear throwing any soft tossing lefty pitchers in front of the Laser Show. Looking to be a top contender for a Gold Glove this year along with his fellow middle infielder Jimmy Rollins, Boston probably sports the most dynamic middle infield combo in the league.
Shortstop Jimmy Rollins stunned the world by stealing 98 bases last year, a feat which was overshadowed by Chipper Jones historic record setting year with 112 bags thieved. Starting this year, he's got a meteoric .409 batting average with 3 doubles, a triple, 10 RBIs and 11 runs scored. His .936 OPS is scarily only 3rd on the team so far. 8 stolen bases in 14 games means he'll be on pace to fight for 100 again if all goes well for the speedster.
Lance Berkman was moved to DH this year to make room for better fielding options acquired by the team this year. Instead of complaining, Berkman embraced the role, and has rocketed 7 HR and 18 RBI in 14 games, hitting .315 with an OPS at 1.089, good for second on the team. Lance being reunited with former teammate Paul Konerko, who took the first base position, definitely helped ease the transition of Berkman to give up the spot without a fight. Reigning MVP Johnny Damon taking the other fielding spot helped too, as Berkman knew both of these players could take the field better than his struggling defense over the years. Boston would love to see Big Puma continue to mash in the DH spot for years to come.
Last but certainly not least is Ace pitcher Carlos Zambrano. Rocketing 16 K's over his first 22.1 innings, with 1 complete game and going 3/3 in quality starts. Sporting a 1.61 ERA and only allowing 2 runs or less in all 3 starts, Zambrano has hopefully put together the pieces of brilliance we have seen flashes of in years prior. Last year being a breakout year for Zambrano with a 2.81 ERA in 275 workhorse innings, winning 21 games for a team that only won 83 made the front office very hopeful he would take this next step into becoming a truly feared pitcher.
