This is not a ground-breaking statement: The Red Sox are World Series contenders.
But it won't be easy. The New York Yankees are as talented as any team in the league and the Tampa Bay Rays are close behind.
Here are 10 keys to the Red Sox continuing what they started and being there come late October:
1. Leading man
It's time to put Jacoby Ellsbury where he belongs, in the No. 1 hole. Ellsbury's presence at the plate has improved 10-fold during his time in the back of lineup. He had consecutive months of .300 or better and looks to be as good as he was even in the 2007 playoffs. Ellsbury changes things when he is on base. With him leading off and Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz and Jason Bay behind him, that might be the best top 5 in the game.
2. leading man II
Jason Bay needs to be Manny Ramirez ... without the idiocy. Bay has been knocking runs in all season (AL-leading 72 RBIs) but he needs to get over his weary ways (9 for 59, 3 RBI since June 24). If he can get 130 RBI and move his average back up to .285, the Red Sox will be a World Series contender.
3. Cy Beckett
Let's be honest. Mike Lowell was named the 2007 World Series MVP but we all know that the MVP was Josh Beckett. The Red Sox are going to win when he pitches, or at least it feels that way. He is in a Pedro Martinez-like zone right now. The Red Sox absolutely must have this piece of the puzzle in place or it's a no-go for a title.
4. Mr. clutch part II
David Ortiz doesn't have to hit 25 homers. He just needs to get some big hits. He appears to be getting his swing back, but he's a far cry from the guy who owned the moniker of "Mr. Clutch." If he can be a timely power hitter rather than an MVP candidate, that would suffice. It might be a necessity.
5. eye of tiger
Rarely smiling on or off the mound, Jon Lester always seems to have the eye of the tiger. Some baseball people believe Lester has the best "stuff" in the game. That means he's big, strong, fast and has one of the best curveballs in the game. Heading into yesterday's showdown with Roy Halladay, in his last eight starts he was on fire (5-1, 69 Ks, 54.2 innings, 1.48 ERA). In October, when he follows Beckett in a series, it doesn't get much better than that.
6. to thine own self be True
All-Stars Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis need only be themselves, which means .300 and Gold Glove-defense from Pedroia and 30 homers and 120 RBI and Gold Glove-defense from Youkilis.
7. Pen names
The Red Sox strength has been its bullpen. Other than some struggles in late June and early July, it is the envy of the league and arguably the biggest difference between the Red Sox and Yankees. Manny Delcarmen, Takashi Saito, Ramon Ramirez, Hideki Okajima and Daniel Bard are all talents who could get something worthwhile in a trade. They make up for a lot of warts.
8. a man named jeD
Do the Red Sox need an All-Star shortstop to win a World Series? As we saw in 2007 ... no. But they need to figure out who is the No. 1 guy. Nick Green is decent to good, but he is too much of a wild card for a World Series champion. The key is Jed Lowrie, who has been deemed the shortstop of the future. A decent minor league hitter, he was near perfect in 2008, not making an error at shortstop during the regular season. With this lineup, defense needs to be the focus. Julio Lugo, who the Sox designated for assignment (he'll be traded or released in a week), simply couldn't cut it as a hitter or fielder.
9. Healthy lowell
If J.D. Drew wasn't such a disappointment, Mike Lowell wouldn't be so vital. Lowell returned Friday and should pick up where he left off: very good fielder on a pace for 24 homers and 100 RBI. Lowell gives the Sox some much-needed punch at the sixth or seventh spot. With Lowell healthy, Kevin Youkilis stays at first base, where he is a star defender. The Red Sox can count on Lowell, even at 80 to 85 percent.
10. closing time
Sure, he's been a little scarier than the record shows (41 Ks, 39 innings, 23 saves in 25 opportunities), but Jonathan Papelbon borders on automatic at the end of games. With Daniel Bard, Takashi Saito and Ramon Ramirez, the Red Sox also have options. They aren't Papelbon, but you can't win a championship without depth in the bullpen.
E-mail Bill Burt at bburt@eagletribune.com.
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