Before we look into this, my gut tells me that Boston will dominate the Mariners. I mean, the Mariners have Jose Vidro starting at DH. Not joking either...especially with a player with a .220 batting average. Here is what I am going to do, I am going to compare each position player, and each starter as they match up and for the bullpen and bench I am just going to compare them as a whole against each other.
Catcher.
Jason Varitek is not helping the Red Sox at all. The former farmhand of the Mariners, and current Red Sox Captain isn't exactly hitting the cover off the ball. Currently for the Season, Varitek is hitting .214/298/347 with an OPS of .645! Varitek did start off the season pretty strong with an OPS of .809 in April, and .913 in May. Since June thou he has hit around a buck fifty with an OPS around .400 (not OBP, rather OPS..ouch!)
Kenji Johima is also not helping the Mariners. Many pitchers have complained about how he runs the game. He is signed for another 3 seasons. Johima actually is hitting the same as the last two seasons. If you look at his BABIP, he has been rather unlucky. Hitting the ball right at people. As you know with Baseball, it is 99% skill, and 1% luck (over a full season). Kenji has hit around .210/253/286 with an OPS of 539. Can you say suckfest!
Verdict: Red Sox, both suck but Varitek is the leader and caption of the team.
Score: Red Sox 1, Seattle 0
First Base
Kevin Youkillis (aka Greek God of Walks) is one of the best 1st baseman in the league Defensively. He is also known for his ability to get on base. This year he has an OBP of .380
Seattle puts forward Miguel Cairo. He and his sub .220 batting average isn't getting it done. Shoot, he isn't Adam Dunn where you can hit .220 and still have an OBP of .380. Cairo doesn't walk. He has shown some ability this year.
Verdict Red Sox by a landslide!
Score: Boston 2, Seattle 0
2nd Base
OK, I am going to cut out the picture for now on. It is taking up too much space.
The Red Sox are bring former Rookie of the Year Dustin Pedroia. Perdroia is hitting .322/365/467 this year. His OPS is actually higher than last year. He has shown more power this year with adding .25% on his Slugging %. Pedroia is also known for having a decent glove in the field.
The Mariners Jose Lopez is still an unproven commodity. Lopez has hit pretty well this year, but his ability to get on base hasn't shown. He can not walk. I can not tell you how much this makes Lopez from being an at best an All-star AAA player than an All-Star MLB Player. Lopez glove in the field has some opportunities but he is the best the Mariners have. Lopez needs to step up his game, and the Mariners need to find a good 2nd baseman, at least one who fields like Dan Ugla.
Verdict: Red Sox, Perdroia is still a young player, but may be one of those once in a life time type of players. Lopez if he can get his OBP higher will be a force to be reckoned with
Score: Boston: 3 Seattle 0
Shortstop
Boston Julio Lugo on the DL, Boston will send out Jed Lowrie. Lowrie is still an unproven player and has a lot to play for. He is currently #1 on the depth charts for Shortstop with Lugo out. In just 54 abats it is tough to tell if Lowrie is any better than Seattle's Betancourt. His current line is 278/317/407 with an OPS of 724. You have to remember that this only 54 abats.
Seattle will send out Yuniesky Betancourt. Mariners Fans are still waiting for the glove work that Betancourt was suppose to bring. He has been horrid this last few seasons. One thing going good for Betancourt, he is like Lopez. He can hit for a good average, but his OBP is bad. From a shortstop that is okay, only if the shortstop is a top notch fielder. Betancourt OPS is .666. Which is horrible. He needs to bring up his OBP to actually help Seattle win games. I am not sure how Bavasi kept his job for soo long.
Verdict: Betancourt and Lowrie are young players, with Betancourt getting the nod because of experience.
Score: Boston: 3 Seattle 1
3rd Base:
Who is better Lowell or Beltre. Who has the most talent? Lowell is better and Beltre has the most talent... funny how that works out that way. Lowell has been a top notch 3rd baseman all season, actually for his whole career. He has a high OBP, and OPS at around .820. Mean while you take a look at Beltre, probably the most underrated 3rd baseman in the past 5 years. Beltre had one monster season, and since than he has signed with the Mariners, and reverted back to his old pre 2004 self. Beltre's pre 2004 isn't bad, and why he was even more underrated than. Most people will point out that Beltre plays the best defense, but the statistics show that Lowell is the better 3rd baseman all round.
Verdict: Lowell
Score: Boston 4 Seattle 1
OutField:
With Manny playing the outfield, the Red Sox look so foolish out there. I mean he can roll over a ball can get rid of it, people call that just Manny being Manny. Manny bat thou is no laughing matter. He is well worth the 20million he is making for the Red Sox. His Career OPS is .999, you can't get much better than that. Even thou Manny on the depth charts is a DH, I have seen him play LF. The rest of the outfield is pretty strong with JD Drew, and Coco Crisp, ah and forgot about Jacoby Ellsbury. The Redsox team, is pretty good from top to bottom, with the expection of Short Stop.
Seattle has finally put Ichiro back to where he should play, but by putting Ichiro in Right Field, they have lowered his value. The Corner Positions are suppose to be where power and a high OBP. Ichiro has one of the best Arms in MLB, even better than Drews. As for Ibanez, he should be a DH like Manny, but Ibanez plays a little better than Manny does in the field. Ibanez bat falls way short of Manny. There is nothing wrong with Rauls bat, it is just well...Manny is a HOFer.
As for Center field the Mariners put out Jeramey Reed. Reed has been decent in the field is actually a surprise this season. Ichiro called him out a few years ago for not be able to focus on the field. Reed came to Seattle in the Freddy Garcia deal.
I have to say, Boston wins the outfield 3-1, with Ichiro winning the only spot, and if I put Vidro in there to compare against any Boston DH, Boston wins again....
As for the Bench, Boston has Cora, Casey, Moss, Crisp if you want to count him. The Mariners have La Hair, Clement (who is a talent), Bloomquist, Burke and Cairo.
The Redsox beat the M's on the bench as well...I perdict that Red Sox win all 3 games...as for the starting, I got that in another thread, Boston wins that as well.
If you go to the bullpen, I have to say M's have a better bullpen. With Morrow and with JJ back, there is no stopping the Mariners once the Bullpen is in. The Mariners live and die with the Bullpen...
Finally Score:
Boston 8, Seattle 3.
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