The Offensive Red Sox

A common analysis of the Red Sox this spring before the season started was that it may have the best roster in baseball history. This of course shouldn't be confused with best lineup of all time.

The analysis could be right on target. The Red Sox through the first 18 games of the season are tops in the American League in runs scored, second in all of baseball. This comes with Mike Lowell missing significant time, David Ortiz off to a slow start and Jacoby Ellsbury unable to get into a hitting groove while sharing time with Coco Crisp.

Yet here we are, the top offensive team in the American League. Why? Because of that roster that was labeled the best in baseball history.

There are teams in baseball that could use Sean Casey, Alex Cora and Jed Lowrie along with either Crisp or Ellsbury in their starting lineups let alone on the bench.

The offense of course is only half the equation of the roster, there too is the pitching staff.

The pitching has gotten mixed results so far. Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jonathan Papelbon, Hideki Okajima have gotten off to solid starts. Clay Buchholz has been decent, his stats don't really show that but he was solid in his debut in Toronto, great in his first start against the Yankees and then in the rematch he gave up two first inning bombs to Bobby Abreau and Alex Rodriguez but still managed to pitch effectively retiring eight straight until the fourth inning when he got unlucky with several softly hit balls that found spots to drop in.

Jon Lester has had mixed reviews as well, he looks good as long as he's not walking batters. He was brilliant in his second start against Oakland. If he can learn to control his pitches, he certainly can become a 20-game winner.

The Red Sox have two young arms who are poised to contribute before seasons end, perhaps as soon as mid season. Justin Masterson was again solid today striking out 10 batters in five innings for Portland. Craig Hansen has been lights out for Pawtucket.