I am not a morning person. Well, in a way, I am, but not in the traditional sense. I work from a home office, and often when I am in the midst of a writing project, I am at my most creative in the early morning hours, so I am at my computer until 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. Knowing this, you can likely deduce that it is a challenge for me to awaken at 7 a.m. or even 8 a.m.
I write this because it was recently announced that the Red Sox-A's two-game series in Japan on March 25 and March 26 will begin at 6:07 a.m. ET. I have no problem staying awake watching the Sox when they are on the west coast, and games end at 2 a.m., but a 6:07 a.m. first pitch? Now that will cause a temporarily restructuring of my sleeping schedule. I'm sure it will seem odd for the Red Sox and A's alike to take the field knowing that they would normally be in bed for hours after the first pitch starting time.
As for how the shortened spring training and trip to Japan will impact Boston's performance in the first month of the season, I am unsure. The Sox final spring training game in Florida is March 19. They will depart Ft. Myers and play two exhibition games in Japan against Japanese teams, then the two regular season contests against Oakland, followed by three spring training games against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. On April 1, Boston returns to regular season action in a two-game series at Oakland. Then the Sox have an off day and fly across the country for a three-game weekend set in Toronto.
After an off day on Monday, they open a three-game series at Fenway Park against the Tigers, followed by a three-game home series against the Yankees. Then the Sox hit the road for two games against the Indians and two more against the Yankees. Not exactly an easy schedule.
The Sox could be weary and have a .500 record in April, but it helps that they open the season with four games against Oakland, which is in a rebuilding mode, though the A's do still have Joe Blanton and Rich Harden (if both can stay off the disabled list).
The March and April schedule for Boston includes four games against Oakland, five against Toronto, five versus the Yankees, three against Detroit, two versus the Indians, four with Texas, three against the Angels and three at Tampa Bay. Oakland and Texas are the only teams on that list that will definitely finish under .500, in my opinion. Toronto is mediocre, but the Jays are good enough to win 83-85 games. I firmly believe that Tampa Bay will seriously challenge Toronto for third place in the American League East. The Yankees, Indians, Tigers and Angels are all legitimate contenders. Some baseball experts believe that Detroit is even the team to beat this year in the American League.
So what do you think? Will the Sox escape April with a .500 record or better, or will they be forced to make up ground in May and June? I will be content with a 17-12 record when May arrives, and that is my prediction.
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