Up and Down ‘Roller-Coaster’ Loss in Bruins’ Rearview Mirror as…
Tuukka Rask Is Actually Human As Bruins Goalie Can’t Save…
Bruins’ ‘Average’ Showing Costs Them, Wakes Up Blackhawks As Series…
Trey Ball Begins Red Sox Journey With Visit to Fenway…
Second-Period Defensive Lapses Doom Bruins in Wide-Open Game 4 Loss…
Blackhawks’ Big Guns Team Up on Top Line, Provide Chicago…
Ryan Dempster’s Poor Record Doesn’t Reflect His Season, As Veteran…
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?
Bruins Fall Back to Earth in Game 4 After Fans Let Imaginations Run Wild (Video)
Report: Aaron Hernandez Has ‘Direct Ties’ to Homicide Victim, While Police Believe Murder Is Drug-Related
Austin NBC Affiliate Cuts Away From Stanley Cup, Airs Promos Instead of Game-Winning Goal (Video)
Joe Torre’s Daughter Catches, Saves Baby Falling Out of Window
Patrice Bergeron Scores Goal Off Bizarre Bankshot From Zdeno Chara (Video)
John Farrell Says Andrew Bailey ‘Is Definitely Our Closer,’ Admits ‘We Have Some Work to Do With Him’
Unlikely Goals From Unlikely Sources Continue to Power Stanley Cup Final (Video)
Chris Bosh Not Pleased With Miami Fans Leaving Early, Tells Them ‘Don’t Come to Game 7′
Report: Chris Paul Pushes Clippers to Re-Open Talks With Celtics on Doc Rivers Deal
Tony Parker’s Would-Be Winning Shot in Game 6 Would Have Needed to Be Replayed Due to Illegal Substitution
Kendrick Perkins Advertises English Bulldog on Twitter, Sells It for $1,500
Report: Ray Allen Says 2010 Celtics Took Game 7 Against Lakers ‘Too Lightly’
Mike Napoli Back in Lineup As Red Sox Square Off Against Jeremy Hellickson
Spurs Collapse in Final Seconds of Game 6, Hand Over Momentum to Heat Heading in to Game 7
Red Sox Sign First-Round Pick Trey Ball, Who Will Report to Gulf Coast League Next Week
Boston Bruins Foundation Raffling Off Trip to Game 5 of Stanley Cup Final in Chicago
Report: Aaron Hernandez’s Bristol, Conn., Associates’ Gang Activity Forced Patriots Tight End to Fall in 2010 NFL Draft
Rapper Flo Rida’s Manager Claims Spurs Coach Gregg Popovich Banned Them From NBA Finals (Audio)
Rob Gronkowski to Start Preseason on PUP List for Patriots
Report: Police Investigating Whether Murder of Aaron Hernandez’s ‘Associate’ Is Drug-Related
Report: Aaron Hernandez Being Sued by Man Who Says Patriots Player Shot Him in Face
‘Kickalicious’ Havard Rugland Impresses Lions, Continues Training With Detroit
Andy Carroll Leaves Liverpool for West Ham United on Permanent Transfer
Serena Williams Apologizes for ‘Insensitive and Hurtful’ Comments on Steubenville Rape Case
Report: Aaron Hernandez Has ‘Not Been Ruled Out’ as Suspect in Murder Investigation
Wil Myers Could Change Landscape of AL East, Make Huge Offensive Impact for Rays
Report: Police Took Box From Aaron Hernandez’s Home After Search
Vin Scully to Take Over Dodgers’ Twitter Account for Game 2 of Wednesday’s Dodgers-Yankees Doubleheader
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie Admits He Roots for Dallas Cowboys (Video)
Manny Ramirez Taken Off EDA Rhinos’ Roster, Will Leave Taiwan Friday
© 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