John Lackey’s Early Season Resurgence Due to Veteran’s Ability to Get Ahead of Hitters
Tom Brady, Gisele Bundchen Land on Forbes List of Most Powerful Couples (Photos)
Ras-I Dowling Might Be Patriots’ Best Option at Cornerback Alongside Aqib Talib, If He Can Stay Healthy
Draftstreet.com Giving NESN Fans a Chance to Win $300 in Fantasy Baseball Contest
Ray Lewis Announces Plan to Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, Aims to Raise Money for Clean Water Projects
Stan Musial’s $1.795 Million Home Is As Old School, Classy As Late Hall of Famer (Photos)
‘Gift’ Goals, Sloppy Mistakes Cost Bruins Chance to Close Out Rangers in Game 4 (Video)
John Farrell is back and ready to take on the challenge that is the Boston Red Sox.
Farrell, who was hired by Boston after managing American League East rival Toronto for two seasons, will have a lot on his plate during his first year running the team. The most important duty, though, will be trying to fix a team that put together one of the worst seasons in franchise history just a year ago. From the clubhouse to the pitching staff to the lineup, there's more than enough work that has to get done.
Bobby Valentine won only 69 games in his first and only season at the helm of the Red Sox. Farrell's most obvious goal should be to win at least 70 games, which — although it wouldn't be too impressive — would be progress.
Farrell didn't have much success with the Blue Jays over the past two years, averaging 77 wins per season and missing the postseason each time. The Red Sox have a lot more star power and potential than the Blue Jays, though. Their problem has just been putting that to good use. Whether it be hanging onto a late lead, coming through with a big hit or just making the right play, Boston had trouble figuring it all out during last season's 93 losses.
The Red Sox are more than capable of winning 90-plus games in Farrell's first year, but they were also capable of that in 2012. Since 2000, the Red Sox have won less than 90 games five times. Winning 90 games would pretty much guarantee a playoff spot — unless you're this year's Rays — and that should be the main goal of the 2013 Red Sox.
As Red Sox Nation has seen during the last three seasons, playing in the postseason isn't a lock every year anymore, but Farrell could be the guy that brings the Sox back.
Whether Farrell can get them there or not, wins are essential. So how many will Farrell and the Red Sox get in 2013?
How many games will John Farrell win in first year as Red Sox manager?
Dwyane Wade Has Entire Refrigerator Stocked With Bright, Shiny Gatorade in House (Photo)
Brooklyn Nets Open Fan Shop on Boardwalk at Coney Island, Just in Time for Summer (Photos)
Tiger Woods Dumps Kentucky Fried Chicken on Sergio Garcia in Taiwanese Animation That Looks at Belly Putter Ban (Video)
John Tortorella Rips Media, Tells Reporters Not to ‘Put Words in My Mouth’ About Sitting Brad Richards (Video)
Penn State Coach Bill O’Brien Visited With Patriots Staff at OTAs on Thursday
Report: Tyrann Mathieu Can Be Drug Tested 10 Times Per Month According to NFL Policy
Report: Masai Ujiri Prepared to Leave Denver for Raptors Unless Nuggets Offer NBA’s Top Executive ‘Market Value’ Salary
Report: Patriots Agree to Deal With Fourth-Round Wide Receiver Josh Boyce
Can You Beat NESN.com’s Fantasy Baseball Team in Draftstreet.com’s Free $300 Fantasy Challenge?
Fan Steals Rosin Bag, Eludes Police After Running Onto Field at Kauffman Stadium (Video)
Rams Rookie Terrell Brown Weighs More Than 400 Pounds, Making Him Heaviest NFL Player
Chris Bosh Celebrated LeBron James’ Game-Winning Layup With Characteristic Awkwardness (Video)
Memphis’ D.J. Stephens Sets Record With 46-Inch Vertical Leap, Kissed Rim in Practice (Video)
Report: Celtics Deny Nets Permission to Talk to Doc Rivers About Head Coaching Job
Roy Hibbert Accuses Shane Battier of Intentionally Kneeing Him in Collision During Game 1 (Photo)
Report: Carl Crawford Dating Evelyn Lozada, Chad Johnson’s Reality TV Star Ex-Wife
Seahawks Rookie Receiver Justin Veltung Can Jump 56 Inches, Which Is Insanely High (Video)
LeBron James Sounds Like Only Person Who Wasn’t Blown Away by His Game-Winning Layup
Nate McLouth Gets Beer Thrown at Him After Making Amazing Catch Into Rogers Centre Seats (Video)
Sergio Garcia Has Many ‘Colored’ Friends, European Tour CEO Says Before Apologizing
Red Sox-Indians Live: John Lackey Tasked With Slowing Down Indians After Rough Series Opener for Sox
Will Middlebrooks ‘Day-to-Day’ After Leaving Game With Back Tightness, Injury Unrelated to Earlier Rib Issue
Tyler Seguin Takes Responsibility for Costly Too Many Men Penalty (Video)
Tyler Seguin’s Breakthrough Goal Not Enough to Prevent Game 4′s Final ‘Broadway Bummer’ Result (Video)
Pirates’ Brandon Inge Dons Penguins Jersey, Full Hockey Gear During Rain Delay (Video)
Tuukka Rask’s Tumble Opens Window for Rangers Comeback, But Bruins Have Ability to Slam It Shut (Video)
Ben Cherington Looks Back at 2009 Justin Masterson-Victor Martinez Trade, Agrees With Theo Epstein’s Decision
Phil Jackson Says He Would Take Bill Russell Over Michael Jordan When Building a Team (Video)
Tyrann Mathieu Signs Four-Year Contract With Cardinals
Report: Red Sox Among Teams Closely Watching Japanese Phenom Masahiro Tanaka
© 2013 New England Sports Network. All Rights Reserved. All photos © 2013 Associated Press and NBA photos © 2013 Getty Images unless indicated. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
All sports statistics © 2013 STATS LLC unless indicated. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC is strictly prohibited.
Powered by WordPress.com VIP