So I'll start it because it has to start. I'm firmly on the side of the Sox this year, but with one caveat: I can't imagine why Sox fans think the Yankees should be scared. Last year was a tough finish for the Sox, but they re-tooled nicely. That said, this Yankee team has everything going for it that it did when it last won the Series. There is literally NO reason the Yankees should be running scared. I know they'd be talking a lot more crap with Cliff Lee in town, but they have every reason to be optimistic. I just don't hear them though, should I just count my blessings? Oh, and Sox fans, nobody's won anything yet, so shut the hell up.
I think one of these two teams will be representing the AL in the World Series, that's for sure. Can either of them beat Philadelphia? That much I'm not sure of though. Regarding the rivalry, I think it's pretty even all the way across the board again this year. They each have multiple All Stars throughout the batting lineup, and each team has a solid rotation (though I will give the Sox the edge there). I think if Burnett bounces back this year and Hughes continues to make strides, the Yankees could have a really, really solid pitching rotation. It also wouldn't hurt their cause if they could find a way to land Greinke and bring back Pettitte.
You can say what you want about me, but I really would like to see an improved rotation in the Bronx. Last year's postseason didn't feel like the Yankees rotation I know and hate. Too much inconsistency. That said, if it's Burnett that has to improve on the New York side of the equation, I'd love to see Lackey show us why we paid him so well. Buccholz needs to keep improving the way he has, and then Beckett should bounce back and reward the team for showing such faith in him. Those things happen for both teams, and we're looking at another ALCS between these two.
I agree. Last year's rotation was mired with so much inconsistency, it wasn't funny. It seemed like the only person that we could rely on to get us 7 innings a night was CC. Hughes fizzled out in August (though I think fatigue played a factor) and Burnett was just...blah, most all season. I think you hit on the head with both teams. Essentially the youth (Bucholz and Hughes) need to keep improving while the overpaid vets (AJ and Lackey) need to become somewhat close to worth the giant amount of money we're paying each of them. Regardless of what happens with rotations though, I still think it'll be Boston vs. New York in the ALCS. The only team that I thought could have threatened them is Texas, but without Cliff Lee, I don't think they make it out of the ALDS. The Twins...they're always a nice success story, but I just don't know if they have the hitting to keep up with either of the team's either.
