Boston Red Sox Strong

 

Before delving too far into the 2013 edition of the local 9, I have a confession to make. While I liked the approach the front office took this season, my expectation was a third-place, .500 ballclub that just sort of, you know, sat there. While that could still be the case, I’d like to believe the first 61 games might be a good assessment of what is to come.

When a team trades players with the talent of Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez, one would believe that the offense would suffer. Add to that early season injuries to your biggest bat (David Ortiz) and your brand new shortstop (Stephen Drew), and you expect the cry from fans for major change. But this team has been the best surprise ever, sitting atop the AL East.

This team gets production from everyone. They get power from Papi, Napoli, and Salty. They get speed from Ellsbury, although we shouldn’t expect him to try for 5 SBs again. The surprising production of Jose Iglesias, Mike Carp, and Daniel Nava, who could make a strong case for the All-Star team this year, has been welcomed with open arms.

The starters have been OK, but production from the front-end of the rotation has been solid. Clay Buchholz is making an early season case for the AL Cy Young award. Jon Lester (although slightly struggling as of late) is posting solid numbers, similar to those from 2008-2011. And while the production of Ryan Dempster and Felix Doubront have been inconsistent, the Sox have been fine with relying on John Lackey, who has been fantastic thus far (2.79 ERA).

Part of the reason why the struggles of some of the starters has been okay is because of the production out of the bullpen. After the closer shuffle to start the season, it has been a force. With set-up men Koji Uehara and Junichi Tazawa, lefty specialists Craig Breslow and Andrew Miller, and a solid closer (finally) in Andrew Bailey, this bullpen has returned to the force it used to be in the World Series years.

What brings it all together is the team’s leadership. Dustin Pedroia leads this team by example, on and off the field. New manager and old friend John Farrell has this team performing together, seemingly much happier as well.

Nothing has been flashy. No one is posting out-of-this-world stats (excluding league ERA leader Buchholz). They are performing as a team. No one is above the name on the front of their uniforms.

Let’s just hope these 61 games are truly a good sign for the next 101.