As a new season of Red Sox baseball quickly approaches every member of the nation is curious to see how the boys of summer will shape up. The lineup has some new faces but should be without a doubt one of baseball’s best once again. Here is how the order could look come opening day.

Leading off for the Red Sox will be one of their new acquisitions Julio Lugo. The speedy shortstop will provide excellent contact at the start of the order and with a powerful lineup behind him he should be able to top 100 runs scored. Hitting second in the order is the emerging Kevin Youkilis. In his first full year he managed 72 runs batted in while leading off for the Sox and scored 100 runs himself. With less pressure this year he should be able to continue his solid production.

Stepping into the three-hole is the ever popular Big Papi.
David Ortiz is coming into his fifth year with the Red Sox and every year his numbers have improved. He has constantly put up more then 30 homeruns and batted in over 100 runs each year. Last year he reached a career high for long balls with 54. This year expect more of the same because protecting him once again is slugger Manny Ramirez. Just like Ortiz, Manny has always knocked in over 100 RBI’s and hit more then 30 homeruns each year. The big question here is whether he will remain happy in Boston or if he will want out like every other summer he has been here.

Occupying the fifth spot in the order looks to be a fresh face in JD Drew. The newly acquired right fielder will look to improve upon a year in which he smacked out 20 homeruns and 100 RBI’s. As long as he stays healthy he should be just as productive in Boston. Utilizing the Green Monster to his advantage will be the key for the offence.

Aging veteran Mike Lowell will sit in the sixth spot and will look to follow up his first year in Boston with another solid one. Last year he hit 20 long balls and added 80 runs batted in, while falling off a bit towards the end of the year. If Lowell puts up another strong year then the Red Sox should consider re-signing him regardless of his age.

Hitting in the seventh spot is captain catcher Jason Varitek. He is coming off of a rough year in which he hit only .238 with 12 homeruns. His numbers should improve, but manager Terry Francona can simply be content with the way Varitek handles the pitching rotation on a daily basis. Behind the captain will be Coco Crisp. Coming off an uneven year in which he only appeared in 105 games, Crisp will be counted on for his excellent defense in center field. Hopefully a healthy year will lead to more offensive production. Rounding out the order is rookie Dustin Pedroia. This will be the second baseman’s first full year in the majors and as long as management is patient with him he should do just fine. Last year in Pawtucket he totaled 30 doubles and now that he is playing at Fenway, his odds of hitting more can only get better.

The bench is no slouch either for the Red Sox. Coming off the pine will be former rookie of the year Eric Hinske. He will provide a powerful left handed bat and great versatility. The fourth outfielder this year will be the powerful Wily Mo Pena, more at bats in 2007 should lead to better production for this promising young star. Alex Cora will provide middle infield relief and can take over for the rookie Pedroia should he falter early on. Backup catcher Doug Mirabelli returns once again as Tim Wakefield’s personal catcher. This situation is perfect because it gives the captain some well needed rest every fifth game.
The 2007 Red Sox lineup has as much promise as any other year. There will be no shortage of runs scored for the boys who call Fenway home and it looks as if this will be the year the Red Sox finally win the AL East and return to the World Series for the first time since 2004. Let’s hope Theo Epstein got it right this off-season.

Written by Jordan Adams