Game of Thrones: Red Sox style

Jul 25, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (34) and manager John Farrell (53) look on from the dugout during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Mountainous highs and cavernous lows, twists and turns in every month: Red Sox Nation has been a turbulent place in recent seasons, especially during this disappointing campaign. With tremendous roster overhaul, Sox fans have become dizzy trying to keep track of the rotating cast of characters. Each player has had positive and negative spells, and few are unambiguously likeable or despicable. For all of these reasons, the Red Sox are comparable to the world of Game of Thrones. In an attempt to liven up this somber Sox season and satisfy my current Thrones withdrawal (still eight long months until Season 5), I’ve assigned 16 current and former members of the Red Sox a Game of Thrones counterpart. I welcome any suggestions or additions in the comment section. SPOILER ALERT for those that have not seen the entire series! Click the next button to start the slideshow.

Jul 29, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester walks out of the batting cage prior to a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Jon Lester: Robb Stark. Too soon? Perhaps, but the comparison is too stark to ignore. Lester was heroic on the field of battle for the Sox, and he had the potential to go down as one of the all-time great Red Sox pitchers. Robb never lost a battle, and was the overwhelming fan favorite to win the throne (counting out Dany, who’s too busy across the Narrow Sea—more on that later). But these destinies both met a crushing end. However, unlike Robb, there’s still hope that Lester could come back.

Jul 28, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (15) throws to first base against the Toronto Blue Jays during the sixth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Dustin Pedroia: Davos Seaworth. Reliable, loveable, bearded, gritty—these words can all describe both Pedroia and Ser Davos. But mainly, this comparison works so well because they both have fought through serious hand injuries. Pedroia played with a broken thumb all last year, and Davos had his fingertips cut off by Stannis.

Aug 8, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz bats against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. The Red Sox won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

David Ortiz: Jaime Lannister. Like Jaime, swaggering Big Papi is ultimately a good guy with the right intentions, but his ego and mouth can get him into trouble at times. Nobody questions their abilities with their respective weapons, but both guys have their fair share of enemies around the world (David Price). Papi has a better overall reputation than the Kingslayer, but he has been far from perfect.

Aug 2, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. (25) makes a running catch for an out during the first inning against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Jackie Bradley Jr.: Jon Snow. At a young age, both are very skilled in particular ways—JBJ is a gold-glove caliber center fielder, and Jon Snow is an excellent fighter and battle strategist. But they are far less comfortable in other situations—watching JBJ bat is like watching Jon Snow when he first met Ygritte (“You know nothing, Jon Snow”). Let’s hope JBJ knows something about hitting.

May 25, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz (11) in the dugout against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Clay Buchholz: Bran Stark. Like Bran, Buchholz has the potential to do something really special (something related to that girl shooting fireballs in the end of Season 4?!), but he can also be infuriating. Where are their storylines going? Are they destined for greatness, and if so, how long will we have to wait?

Aug 2, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox third baseman Brock Holt (26) runs to third base on a base hit by second baseman Dustin Pedroia (not pictured) during the seventh inning against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Brock Holt: Tyrion Lannister. Nobody ever expects much of Tyrion, but he is “one of the few people alive who could make this country a better place,” in the words of Varys. Likewise, surprise hero Brock Holt is one of the few that has made Red Sox Nation a better place this season. As with Tyrion at the end of Season 4, Brock’s future role is uncertain, but it will likely be important.

Jul 2, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox center fielder Mookie Betts (50) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run against the Chicago Cubs in the fifth inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Mookie Betts: Arya Stark. Both of these precocious youngsters have rapidly evolving abilities. Arya has demonstrated that she is a force to be reckoned with when she has her sword Needle handy, and Mookie has torn through minor league pitching all season. When the proper time comes, Mookie and Arya will make their marks on the world.

Jul 27, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) in the dugout against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Xander Bogaerts: Stannis Baratheon. Is Xander Bogaerts the rightful heir to the shortstop throne, the one to stop the chaos of the post-Nomar era? Is Stannis Baratheon the one true, rightful king of Westeros as he asserts, or does he have too many flaws to ever take the throne? Both guys are here to stay for the time being, so we will have to wait and see.

Jun 29, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Koji Uehara (19) celebrates defeating the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. The Red Sox defeated the Yankees 8-5. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

Koji Uehara: Barristan Selmy. Like the grey-bearded Ser Barristan, Koji may be approaching retirement but shows no signs of slowing down. The 39-year-old closer has been indispensible and incredibly reliable for the Sox. It’s hard not to like wise old Ser Barristan; likewise, everybody loves Koji Time.

Aug 8, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Mike Napoli (12) follows through on a solo home run in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Napoli: Brienne of Tarth. He isn’t always flashy, but Napoli is reliable, loyal, and has been known to make a few clutch plays. Both Brienne and Napoli often lag behind others on favorite character lists (like Pedroia or Tyrion), but they are powerful players that get the job done. Brienne has one key edge on Napoli, though: she strikes out a heck of a lot less.

Jun 7, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Boston Red Sox shortstop Stephen Drew (7) walks off the field against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Stephen Drew: Sandor Clegane, aka The Hound. Misunderstood from the time he arrived on the scene, Stephen Drew has been haunted by memories of his brother J.D.: the underperforming, aloof, and overpaid Red Sox right fielder of five years. The Hound is also scarred by his brother—literally, in his case. Both Stephen and Sandor have their flaws, but they are ultimately good people burdened by troublesome siblings.

Jul 27, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox manager John Farrell (53) looks on in the dugout at his sheet against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

John Farrell: Maester Aemon. John Farrell has been assigned the impossible task of steering the Red Sox ship through a terrible storm of underperformance this year. Wise old Maester Aemon must do the same at The Wall, advising the rag-tag crew of Night’s Watch brothers in the fight against the Wildlings/Free Folk. Maester Aemon impresses me more, though: I don’t think John Farrell could do his job if he were blind.

Oct 31, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Bruins president Cam Neely (left) with Boston Red Sox president and chief executive officer Larry Lucchino and the World Series trophy during the second period against the Anaheim Ducks at TD Banknorth Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Larry Lucchino: Tywin Lannister. Larry Lucchino may have called the Yankees the “Evil Empire,” but he has been trying to build his own empire in Boston, and with much success. Like Tywin, he can be cold and calculated, but he ultimately has the best interests of his dynasty at heart.

Oct 10, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington watches the team during a workout in preparation for the American League Championship Series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Ben Cherington: Varys. Larry Lucchino may be the boss that controls the purse strings, but Ben Cherington’s power has steadily grown since he was bullied into signing a manager he didn’t want (Bobby Valentine). Varys also rises from humble beginnings to become a major power broker, and he doesn’t even have a last name. They both have master plans, and we wait anxiously to find out what those plans are.

Feb 21, 2014; Ft Myers, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Henry Owens (76) throws during spring training at JetBlue Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Henry Owens: Daenerys Targaryen. Many view Henry Owens as the savior of the Red Sox pitching staff, and for good reason. The kid has dominated the minors all year, and looks poised to arrive on the big-league scene in a big way. Daenerys plows her way through her version of the minors (Slavers Bay), freeing multiple cities and crowning herself Queen of Meereen. Many view her as the likely winner of the Game of Thrones, but she’s taking her sweet time coming back to Westeros. Nobody wants to see Owens or Dany stay put—Dany needs to save the realm, and Henry needs to save the Sox.

(Further reading for Thrones and baseball enthusiasts: SI assigns GOT houses to MLB teams)