As for the lineup:
Crawford
Pedroia
AGon
Youk
Papi
scoot (although id LOVE to see some jed)
JD
salty/tek/ (russel martin?)
Ells

for everyone hating on crawford’s OBP, remember that the rays sucked for 6 1/2 of his first 9 years in the league. as great as you are, youre only as good as your team.

JD’s biggest problem is he hardly cracks a smile, let alone show any emotion. we’re passionate in boston – want our players to be the same. not to mention he’s incredibly clutch, albeit quietly. he is a great player and fits this team perfectly. also don’t forget his son is pretty ill (i forget what exactly is wrong with him but i know red or denton wrote about it a while back)…you wouldnt exactly havingthhe best time at work when your son is bedridden and hospitalized either.

as for the bullpen, dont write them off completely. i want a big sign or trade just as much as anyone, but right now i like the prospect of rich hill and felix doubront as well as a paid and newly motivated papelbon. tito can joke that pap “probably didnt even know” the sox offered MO a contract, but that didnt just slip by his ears. he knows, he cares, he’s 30, he wants to get a paid big. if nothing else, it’s a contract year for him. players step up in those times.

side note: Tito loves salty and still has faith in tek. i trust tito.
 ps: has anyone heard anything about junichi? he had tommy john surgery and missed all this year, but whens his return eta?

Can we speed that up?  I want to see Boston’s new “Murderer’s Row”.