Call to the pen
Fansided

Boston Red Sox 2018 Season Preview

By David Hill

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 13: Snow accumulates on the 'Teammates' sculpture outside Fenway Park in Boston during the third nor'easter storm to hit the region in two weeks on March 13, 2018. (Photo by David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 13: Snow accumulates on the 'Teammates' sculpture outside Fenway Park in Boston during the third nor'easter storm to hit the region in two weeks on March 13, 2018. (Photo by David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) /
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The Boston Red Sox excellent 2017 campaign came to a crashing halt in the ALDS. Can a new manager and some added power keep them from an early exit in the coming campaign?

It was thought that the Boston Red Sox had gotten that piece they needed to return to the World Series heading into the 2017 campaign. Their lack of a true ace had been addressed by the acquisition of Chris Sale, taking the pressure off of David Price and the rest of the rotation. Boston was ready to return to the playoffs, and do some damage.

While Boston did return to the postseason, they were unceremoniously eliminated in the ALDS, beaten in four games by the eventual World Series champion Houston Astros. The Red Sox discovered another deficiency, as their offense had a disturbing lack of power. In a year when everyone was hitting for power, the Red Sox did not have a single player hit at least 25 homers.

Again, the Red Sox addressed that concern during the offseason, signing J.D. Martinez to provide that needed power from the middle of the lineup. And once again, the Red Sox feel that they have brought in that needed piece to take home another World Series title. Yet, for as much of a splash as Martinez may have been in free agency, the Red Sox hopes likely rest upon improvement from within.

Can the Boston Red Sox live up to their own expectations? Or will the 2018 campaign be another disappointment?

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