Opening Day! Rangers - Red Sox Preview

It's finally here! The Rangers are playing baseball games again that actually count for something, and I don't think I've ever anticipated opening day more than I have this year. (Of course, the Stars collapse after the all-star break has a lot to do with that.)

CJ Wilson is the Ranger's opening day, starting pitcher and he earned that spot last season by leading the Ranger's pitching staff all season in 2010 to an American League Championship. CJ pitched 204 innings in 2010, with 15 wins and a 3.35 era. This season, I expect CJ to pitch at least 230 innings and win 17 or 18 ballgames. This afternoon, Wilson faces off against the Red Sox ace, Jon Lester, who pitched about the same number of innings as CJ in 2010 also won 19 games and had an era of 3.25. I'd expect Lester to win 20 games this season with the Red Sox new and improved offense.

The Red Sox are far and away the most improved team coming into the 2011 season, having just missed the playoffs in 2010. Boston picked up MVP caliber center-fielder Carl Crawford, who won the gold glove in 2010 with the Rays. They also signed Adrian Gonzales from the Padres, who I expect astronomical numbers from in 2011, playing his home games at Fenway Park rather than pitcher-friendly SafeCo Field. These two sluggers combine with Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, and David Ortiz to make the 2nd best offense in the league behind the Texas Rangers.

The Red Sox also have the best starting rotation in the American League with Clay Buckholtz, John Lackey and Josh Beckett behind Lester. I, like everyone else, expect Boston to win the AL East this year, as the Yankees look very similar to their 2010 version, except they're all one year older, and the Rays lost several of their best players in the offseason.

The Rangers have, in my opinion, the most potent offense in the American League. I expect Ian Kinsler to repeat his 30-30 2009 season, hitting leadoff in 2011 as he did in 2009. Elvis Andrus is a Derek Jeter potential number 2 hitter, and Josh Hamilton hitting cleanup is the envy of every team in the big leagues. Adrian Beltre, the Rangers newly acquired third baseman from the Red Sox hits 4th, and behind Beltre are Michael Young and Nelson Cruz. Cruz batting 6th is what makes this lineup the best in baseball, as the Rangers 4,5, and 6 are better than mosts' 1,2, and 3s.

My prediction's for the game today:

CJ Wilson - 7 IP, 1 ER, 6 K, 3 BB
Jon Lester - 6 IP, 3 ER, 7 K, 2 BB
Homeruns: Josh Hamilton, Nelson Cruz, Adrian Gonzales