Word of Justice

Unlike last time, Theo Epstein kept his club together after winning a championship. The Red Sox have baseball's best team at the big-league level and a terrific farm system.

They're so good that when Curt Schilling went down with a shoulder injury, the Red Sox had Clay Buchholz ready to step in. Despite throwing a no-hitter last summer, he probably was going to start the season in the minors.

All that can keep the Red Sox from making the playoffs for the fifth time in six years would be a string of injuries. They can withstand the loss of Schilling, but not Josh Beckett. In fact, he might be the lone player the Red Sox can't afford to lose.

That's why the Red Sox won't rest easy until Beckett is back on the mound throwing pain-free. Otherwise, there are no issues. The bullpen is deep, the lineup terrific and the manager (Terry Francona) is arguably the best in the business.

-- Richard Justice

Numbers Game

3 - Players on Boston's postseason roster last year who will not be on its Opening Day roster in 2008. Eric Gagne, Eric Hinske and Doug Mirabelli are gone and the Red Sox didn't want any of that trio to return. The Red Sox lost Pedro Martinez, Derek Lowe and Orlando Cabrera following their 2004 World Series run and didn't have the firepower to repeat. That's not the case this year.

5.19 Daisuke Matsuzaka's ERA in the second half of last season. The Japanese star had to make numerous adjustments both culturally and on the baseball diamond and there's no question he wore down at the end of 2007. Assuming he's more accustomed to American baseball this year, Dice-K's performance could take a similar leap as Josh Beckett's did last year.

1.066 - David Ortiz's OPS last year, a career high. Because he hit 35 home runs, his lowest total since 2003, you often hear that Big Papi had a down year in 2007. In reality, he had his best season ever, setting career highs in average, on-base percentage, slugging, hits, doubles and even stolen bases. Chances are a few of those 52 doubles Ortiz hit last year will leave the yard in 2008 and he'll be back above the 40-homer threshold.

-- Andrew Johnson

Fantasy Spin

Ahh, so we save two of the fantasy juggernauts for last -- first the Yanks, now the Sox. Much like New York, almost every bat in the Boston lineup is roster-worthy in fantasy leagues. It begins with the elite sluggers, Ortiz and Ramirez, and goes all the way down to Lugo -- a big speed threat, but not much else.

Ortiz hit some rough patches in 2007 due to knee pain, but played through it and wound up with 21 homers and a .352 average after the break. Following arthroscopic knee surgery in the offseason, he'll enter 2008 fresher and should post another 30+ homer season. His days of approaching the 50-mark are over though. Ramirez was a big disappointment for owners last season, only hitting 20 homers with 88 RBI. But get ready to see Manny bounce back to 30-plus homers. Why? It's the commitment. Entering the final guaranteed season of a huge contract, Manny not only beefed up his workouts at the Athletes' Performance Institute in Arizona, he's even taken up yoga to improve his flexibility. In short, he's got something to prove.

Lowell is coming off an outstanding season that many were quick to discount as a one-year wonder. While the .324 average is a fluky, his refined approach at the plate is not. He'll have his shots to crack the 100-RBI mark and smack 20 homers again. Varitek's average will hurt you, but he still has the power to be a starter in 12-team leagues. I think this is the year we see Youkilis scratch the 20-HR plateau; he's a rock solid option if your league employs a corner infield flex spot. Hopes are very high for Ellsbury after his stellar 2007 debut, albeit in only 117 at-bats. Don't expect too much power from the anointed replacement for Johnny Damon, but he should post a high average with 30-40 swipes if Boston lets him run wild. Pedroia will give you 100 runs and has a shot at a 15-15 season in homers/steals, but could just as easily give you 10-10. The one player who could surprise as a late-round bargain this year is … (please hold back snickers) … J.D. Drew. Yes, the same Drew who only hit 11 bombs and drove in 64 last year. But what you might not know is Drew hit four of those homers and drove in 18 with a .342 average in September.

The fantasy value of the pitching corps has taken a hit with the loss of Schilling, but it opens the door for Clay Buchholz to shine in the rotation. Someone in your draft might draft him too early for his no-hitter performance, but he does have the talent and maturity to adapt quickly for a sub-4.00 ERA. I'm not too concerned about Beckett's back spasms… better that he's on the DL for a short stint now, so he'll be undervalued in your draft. He won't reach 20 wins again, but the strikeouts and ERA will be there to anchor your squad. Nothing changes in the value for Papelbon, Wakefield and Lester. And Matsuzaka should manage an ERA lower than 2007 (4.40), but I'm not confident he can avoid the shaky outings like we saw on Tuesday.

-- Tom Herrera

FanHouse Video

-- Pat Lackey

Preview Poetry

2007 left BoSox with new shiny rings
But that doesn't necessarily mean they'll be '08 kings

The pressure's always on after a championship year
This is going to be an important season in each pitcher's career

The '07 pitching got the job done, to my dismay
Everyone from Beckett to Oki -- save for Gagne...

They didn't land Santana, didn't want a trade too extreme
Leaving Schilling et al. to carry the team

Bad news for the fans: there's already some trouble
Injuries to Schill and Beck mean they'll have to redouble

Wakefield's personal catcher is a thing of the past
Hopefully his knuckleball can stand fast

As for Dice-K, he's got to improve
4.40 ERA is all right, but it leaves him with something to prove

Young Lester's got the talent to pitch with his peers
But he's pitched just 26 games over the span of years

Back in the bullpen the crew's just as good
So long as they're healthy they'll dominate - that's just understood

Paplebon's arm has got to be watched though
Some "Joba Rules" woulda been good two years ago

This poem's gone too long so I'll leave you with this to ponder:
Will the pitching step up or squander?

-- Yankees Chick, FanHouse