Random Thoughts (October 1, 2009)

As much as I would like to see the Red Sox win their remaining games and enter the postseason on a hot streak, I am not a believer that their current losing streak is an indicator of how they will fare in the ALDS against the Angels. It is not fair to judge the Red Sox based on the performances of Joey Gathright, Paul Byrd, Chris Woodward, and Brian Anderson. These are the players that Terry Francona is running out onto the field this week as he gives some well earned rest to his regulars. What Francona and the Red Sox understand is that a few extra regular season wins will not do anything to improve their standing in the American League playoffs. They have known for most of September that they would enter October as the Wild Card entry, with a trip to California to start the ALDS. With this in mind, Francona has been affored the luxury of giving his regular players a day off to get to full strength. This will be appreciated when a fully rested Red Sox team wins the World Series... The Bruins open up the regular season tonight against Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. The B's will look slightly different than the team that lost in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals last spring. Their top goal scorer in 2008-09, Phil Kessel, has been traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs and P.J. Axelsson left the NHL to play in his native Sweden. There are high expectations for the Bruins, who are coming off a season in which they posted the best regualr season record in the East. With goalie Tim Thomas (Vezina Trophy), defenseman Zdeno Chara (Norris Trophy), and coach Claude Julien (Jack Adams Award) returning, the Bruins are expected to contend for the Stanley Cup. Anything short of a championship will be a disappointment... The Celtics opened training camp this week. With Kevin Garnett returning from a knee injury that ended his 2009 season prematurely and the additions of Rasheed Wallace, Marquis Daniels, and Shelden Williams, the Celtics are expected to win their second title in three years. The strength of the C's will be the talent and depth of their post players. Garnett and Wallace are All-Star caliber forwards, Kendrick Perkins and Glen "Big Baby" Davis are talented young big men who have played key roles in the Celtics success the last two seasons, and Williams provides depth. With Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Eddie House, and Daniels in the backcourt, Doc Rivers has the deepest roster in the NBA to work with this season. The expectations for the Celtics begin and end with winning the franchises 18th championship... I love that the Twins have made it interesting in the AL Central over the last three weeks but I am rooting for the Tigers because no city has been hit harder by the economic depression than Detroit... My MLB awards (drumroll, please): AL MVP: Joe Mauer, Twins Cy Young: Zach Greinke, Royals Rookie: Elvis Andrus, Rangers Manager: Jim Leyland, Tigers NL MVP: Albert Pujols, Cardinals Cy Young: Tim Lincecum, Giants Rookie: J.A. Happ, Phillies Manager: Jim Tracy, Rockies Enjoy the Indians this weekend...