Author: @benkitt_

Alex Cora Assessment (So Far)

Alex Cora Assessment (So Far)

Posted by | May 30, 2018 | ,

Firing John Farrell was obviously a change in direction for the Red Sox. Of course Farrell won a World Series and back to back division titles in his five-year tenure as the Sox manager, but he made questionable decisions and was a very dull personality in the clubhouse. When the Red Sox hired Cora, I, like many others, was extremely excited to see what changes he’d bring. I was really looking forward to seeing how the 2018 season would start and the decisions Cora would make. 2018 has obviously gotten off to a great start, but let’s examine how...

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Why Mookie Betts Is Poised for a Huge 2018

Why Mookie Betts Is Poised for a Huge 2018

Posted by | Apr 25, 2018 | ,

Mookie Betts is arguably the best hitter in baseball right now. He is seeing the ball so well and smoking it. He massacred the Yankees’ pitching staff, raking in a grand slam in a 14-1 win. Mookie is also off the heels of a four home run series against the Angels. The man is insane. Betts currently leads the MLB in AVG (.366). Obviously this won’t be sustainable for an entire season, but it’s a damn good start. Consequently, it could be a sign of even better things to come for Betts. Mookie is doing damage early, and if...

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Why the Red Sox Will Need Bullpen Help

Why the Red Sox Will Need Bullpen Help

Posted by | Mar 30, 2018 | ,

State of the Bullpen After Day One What happened yesterday, March 29th, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg Florida was a blatant disgrace. All of Red Sox Nation had been waiting for Opening Day since the final out was recorded in last year’s playoffs. The day had finally come, with new manager Alex Cora at the helm. And the bullpen let us down. The Red Sox jumped out to an early lead, and had a 4-0 advantage going into the bottom of the 8th inning. The combination of Joe Kelly and Carson Smith got hammered, allowing six runs in...

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Sam Travis Should Be on the Opening Day Roster

Sam Travis Should Be on the Opening Day Roster

Posted by | Mar 25, 2018 | ,

Opening Day is only a few days away, and teams are finally starting to shape the opening day roster. For the Red Sox, pretty much everything is set into stone except for the bench. Yesterday, Deven Marrero was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks, suggesting Brock Hold will be on the bench. One of the candidates for the Red Sox bench that I was most excited about was Sam Travis. After a tough past few seasons battling injuries, he finally started to hit the ball this spring. I thought for sure he would be on the bench to start the...

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Boston’s Biggest 2018 Lineup X Factor: JBJ

Boston’s Biggest 2018 Lineup X Factor: JBJ

Posted by | Mar 13, 2018 | ,

We all know what Jackie Bradley Jr. is capable of doing in the outfield with his sick defensive prowess. However, on Opening Day at Tropicana Field he will without a doubt be the most streaky hitter in the lineup. The inconsistency for JBJ throughout his career has always been there, especially showing in 2017. How much would it mean to the 2018 Red Sox offense if he could put up consistent numbers? A lot. Here are a few aspects of how much of a consistent JBJ could bring to the club: BOTTOM OF THE LINEUP Whenever someone talks about...

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Ideal 2018 Red Sox Opening Day Lineup

Ideal 2018 Red Sox Opening Day Lineup

Posted by | Mar 2, 2018 | ,

New Red Sox manager Alex Cora has his hands full with this Red Sox lineup in 2018. He has all of the talent he could ask for in his lineup. However, constructing it is going to be a very tall task. Now fused with young star-power, J.D. Martinez, and veterans, this lineup has a very high ceiling for the upcoming season. LEADING OFF: MOOKIE BETTS You can say whatever you want about how Mookie Betts should be batting third or fourth because he’s the best pure hitter on the team. Betts should be the first batter for the 2018...

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The David Price-Boston Story

The David Price-Boston Story

Posted by | Feb 21, 2018 | ,

David Price is definitely an interesting character when talking about his career. He has been dominant for so long, but his relationship with the media and the postseason have always been sour. A lot of people question whether or not he should be considered a top-tier pitcher because of these problems. He has always put naysayers to rest they had the most to say in Detroit, Toronto, and Tampa. However, Boston is just a different animal between the media and the passion of the fans. A New Start in Boston Embed from Getty Images After the 2015 season, new...

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Why the Red Sox Need to Extend Craig Kimbrel

Why the Red Sox Need to Extend Craig Kimbrel

Posted by | Feb 20, 2018 | ,

Craig Kimbrel burst onto the Major League Baseball scene in 2010 with the Atlanta Braves. In 21 games during his rookie season, Kimbrel was a whopping 4-0 with an 0.44 ERA. Kimbrel instantly put himself on the map, and has been dominant ever since. After the 2014 season, Craig Kimbrel was traded from the Atlanta Braves to the San Diego Padres. He played the 2015 season, and later that winter was traded to the Red Sox. He was sent over as part of a deal highlighted between him and Red Sox top OF prospect Manuel Margot. Kimbrel on the...

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Despite Popular Opinion, Dave Dombrowski Is Doing the Right Thing

Despite Popular Opinion, Dave Dombrowski Is Doing the Right Thing

Posted by | Dec 30, 2017 |

On December 9th, the Yankees and Marlins officially agreed on a deal to send slugger Giancarlo Stanton to the Bronx. There were mixed opinions from Red Sox fans on whether or not they wanted Stanton because of the idea of trading pieces and his huge contract. One thing for sure is whether or not Red Sox nation wanted him, they certainly did not want him to join Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez who slugged their way to one game from the World Series. The Pressure Dave Dombrowski had to immediately feel the pressure as soon as he found out...

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Why the Red Sox Need Eric Hosmer

Why the Red Sox Need Eric Hosmer

Posted by | Sep 13, 2017 |

We all know Eric Hosmer, the stud first basemen for the KC Royals, a key piece to their two World Series appearances in 2014 -15, and their title in 2015. A great defensive first basemen and an outstanding hitter who can hit for both power and contact, he is a special player. Embed from Getty Images After the 2017 season, he hits free-agency, where he will definitely land a big contract. The question now is…should the Red Sox try to sign him? Battle for first Other 1st base options: Mitch Moreland   Moreland has definitely had his moments this...

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Red Sox vs. Indians–New Rivalry?

Red Sox vs. Indians–New Rivalry?

Posted by | Sep 3, 2017 |

When you think of Red Sox rivalries throughout the years, the only ones that really come to mind are the Yankees or any other AL East team for that matter. But there is a new team that the Red Sox always seem to go to war with, and that team is the Cleveland Indians. It kickstarted in 2016, when Cleveland and the Red Sox met in the ALDS. Talk centered on the Sox because of David Ortiz’s final postseason, but not a ton around the Indians. The Indians definitely deserved more buzz,  with a better record in the regular...

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The Future of the Red Sox Catching Position – Christian Vasquez

The Future of the Red Sox Catching Position – Christian Vasquez

Posted by | Aug 25, 2017 |

Christian Vasquez burst onto the Boston Baseball scene back in 2014, known for his work behind the plate, including a dazzling arm that runners soon appreciated. Never known for the bat as much as his fielding, one of his more memorable moments was a bomb off of Dellin Betances (NYY RHP) to give the Sox the lead at Fenway last year.  But he tapered off, especially with the emergence of Sandy Leon during the 2016 campaign. Obviously, Colo, as some call him, is one for heroics, finishing off a wild game against the Cleveland Indians two weeks ago in...

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Red Sox vs. Dodgers World Series Matchup? (Game 1 Preview)

Posted by | Aug 23, 2017 |

This article was written before the Red Sox and Yankees played on Friday, August 18th) As anyone who has followed baseball in 2017 knows, the  Los Angeles Dodgers have been far and away the most dominant team in the majors. The NL-West looked like a tight, three-team race that included the Diamondbacks, Rockies and Dodgers. But one team has risen to the top. The young and talented team out in LA has taken off like nothing in recent memory, going 19-9 in May, 21-7 in June, 20-3 in July, and 11-3 so far in August. This includes a 24-5 record in the second half of the season. Loading the bench with talent Then you have the Boston Red Sox, the young and gritty team, expected to play like the Dodgers. Getting swept by the Indians in the 2016 ALDS was certainly disappointing, but Dave Dombrowski wanted to make sure that the Red Sox did not lack a superstar after David Ortiz retired. He pulled off a blockbuster over the winter, acquiring ace Chris Sale in exchange for four prospects including prized Cuban slugger Yoan Moncada. After the trade, even Yankees GM Brian Cashman referred to the Red Sox as the “Golden State Warriors.” Up until the trade deadline, the Red Sox were an up and down team that couldn’t quite find their identity. That was until the night of...

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