So the Red Sox start hasn't been what we all hoped for. I think it's fair to consider this team in a bit of an early season funk. That said, are you worried about the start in the context of the full season? Has the 2-5 run out of the gate caused you to reconsider your lofty expectations of this club in 2009? Vote away!
Today we pick right back up where we left off last season; playing the Tampa Bay Rays. For those of you who don't believe early season matchups matter over the long haul, I'll remind you that when it comes to the 2009 AL East three teams are fighting for what will likely be two playoff spots. The difference between October baseball and some late season tee times could likely come down to only a handful of games. That handful starts today.
With that in mind, our first "in season" poll question asks "who will draw first blood in the AL East"?
As always, the poll can be found in the left hand sidebar. Votes will be tallied tomorrow.
The rain may have postponed Opening Day, but I look at it as a blessing in disguise. I mean, how could you really expect to start the season without having properly named the 2009 Red Sox Madness Champion.
Votes will be tabulated tomorrow morning and a winner crowned before first pitch.
Whose success is more important to the overall success of the 2009 Boston Red Sox, Josh Beckett or Dustin Pedroia?
Red Sox Madness 2009 Championship Game: #1 Dustin Pedroia vs. #1 Josh Beckett
It has all come down to this. Sixteen men enter, one man leaves, and that man will be either Josh Beckett or Dustin Pedroia. Who's success will go further in determining the Red Sox fate this season? Who will have their own Red Sox Madness tournament "One Shining Moment"?
Remember, the simple question is "who's success is more important to the overall success of the Boston Red Sox in 2009?" Vote away after the jump!
After two grueling rounds of match ups, we now know the Final Four contestants in the first annual Red Sox Madness tournament. In a late run, (primarily thanks to Paul and I's get out the vote campaign for Jon Lester in last night's podcast), Jon Lester eeked out the closest battle of the tourney yet over Kevin Youkilis 45-42. Lester will battle fellow #1 seed and starting pitcher Josh Beckett in the second of our Final Four matchups.
The top half of the draw pits the top two hitters in the Red Sox lineup. Which tablesetter's success means more to the Red Sox chances in 2009? Is it the upstart #3 seed Jacoby Ellsbury or the reigning AL MVP and #1 seed Dustin Pedroia?
Remember, the simple question is "who's success is more important to the overall success of the Boston Red Sox in 2009?" Vote away after the jump!
New Poll Question: Better or Worse: Jon Lester's innings pitched in 2009?
Jon Lester pitched a yeomans-like 237 innings in 2008. There is debate over whether Lester will be a candidate for the now famous "Verducci-effect" in 2009. Can Lester's arm hold up for another 200+ innings this season? Vote in the poll to the left and give your community projection for Lester here.
Find out how you all responded to our previous poll, "Will Josh Beckett drop a sub-3.50 ERA in 2009?" after the jump.
New Poll Question: Better or Worse: Josh Beckett's ERA in 2009?
Josh Beckett pitched better than his 4.03 ERA might suggest in 2008, so it's safe to assume he'll better that total in 2009. The question is, "by how much?". How low can he go? How does 3.50 sound for a bar? Vote in the poll to the left and give your community projection for Beckett here.
Find out how you all responded to our previous poll, "Will Jason Varitek hit .240+ in 2009?" after the jump.
New Poll Question: Better or Worse: Jason Varitek's Average in 2009?
Coming off a career low batting average of .220 in 2008 and one of the lowest averages for a primary catcher in the past ten years, will Jason Varitek be able to right the ship and break the .240 barrier this season? Vote in the poll to the left and give your community projection for Varitek here. Find out how you all responded to our previous poll, "How many bases will Jacoby Ellsbury steal in 2009?" after the jump.
New Poll Question:
Better of Worse: Jacoby Ellsbury's 2009 Stolen Base Total?
Early last season it seemed like Jacoby might steal 75 bags, but a mid-season slump hit both his bat and his legs and he ended up with only 50. Can he top 60 in 2009? Vote in the poll to the left and give your community projection for Ellsbury here. Find out how you all responded to our previous poll, "Will Jason Bay hit 30+ HRs in 2009?" after the jump.
New Poll Question:
Better of Worse: Jason Bay's 2009 Home Run Total?
Just a simple over/under on Bay's home run total. Do you think Bay will top the 30 HR mark in 2009? Vote in the poll to the left. You can find the previous poll results after the jump.