Why the Sox will win the AL East

It is not too surprising that the Boston Red Sox are off to a great start. Besides the offensive outburst from Jason Bay and Tim Wakefield dominating opposing hitters, nothing has gone in the Sox favor.

• Boston's cleanup hitter, and one of the great sluggers of the modern era, David Ortiz is still looking for his first home run of the season.
  
• Dice-K (12.79 ERA) has been ineffective and remains on the disabled list.
  
• Through 7 starts Jon Lester is 2-3 with a 6.31 ERA.
• Josh Beckett (3-2, 6.42 ERA) has not been his usual self.
• Kevin Youkilis started out hot but has missed the last week of action due to a sore back.
• The Sox have been playing with their 3rd shortstop, Nick Green. Not that Green hasn't filled in admirably, he just isn't as consistent in the field or at the plate as Julio Lugo or Jed Lowrie. (Don't think that means I love Lugo--I'd rather have him in the lineup than Nick Green, but I'll take Jed Lowrie over Lugo any day.)

Red Sox fans shouldn't worry though, and here's why.

Youkilis is due back this week, which should bolster the lineup. And although Big Papi isn't the hitter he used to be, he'll find his swing and start being a more reliable source of power. Lester and Beckett are great pitchers and I am confident that they will get it turned around sooner than later. Also Dice-K should be back to normal after being able to rest his arm for a few weeks (stupid WBC). The Red Sox bullpen is deeper than it has ever been. Papelbon, Okajima, Ramierez, Delcarmen, and Saito have all been solid. Also veteran pitcher, John Smoltz, will join the Red Sox rotation in early July after he rehabs his surgically repaired shoulder.

Watch out Yanks--Beckett, Lester, Dice-K, and Smoltz? If they are all at 100% for the playoffs, I don't think there is a team that could them. No way.