Any country fans out there in Red Sox Nation? American Idol winner and country star Scotty McCreery loves two things, country music, and the Boston Red Sox.
McCreery, who was a standout pitcher at his high school in North Carolina, is a life-long BoSox fan, who has followed the team very closely while on tour across the nation.
Scotty spoke with The Rolling Stone, and made his predictions for what should be a very exciting season for the Red Sox:
"“A few years ago we were the worst team in baseball,” he told the Rolling Stone. “And then two years ago we won the World Series and then last year we were the worst team in baseball again. So there’s a pattern going on. If it continues, I think we have a good shot at the World Series! But realistically, you know, we’ll see. We just added Pablo Sandoval, the Panda, and Hanley Ramirez, so we should be hitting well. I’m just wondering about our pitching. You know, Jon Lester got traded away, so we’ll see if Clay Buchholz and the other guys can hold it down. But I think if our pitching holds up, our lineup, with the Panda and Ramirez, should be alright."
McCreery, like any good Sox fan, has very fond memories relating back to 2004. With any luck, McCreery thinks that adding Pablo Sandoval, as well as Hanley Ramirez could create a “2004-atmosphere” in the clubhouse.
"“I loved bringing in Sandoval.” he said. “I think he’s a perfect fit for them and I’m sure that the Giants fans are unhappy because they loved him out there. But him, David Ortiz and Hanley – I follow them all on Twitter and Instagram, and they are always posting pictures together. It kind of reminds me of the team in 2004; they called themselves a bunch of idiots, so hopefully this team will get along again.”"
McCreery also knows that a key piece of the puzzle is veteran second-baseman Dustin Pedroia.
"“It will be good to have Dustin Pedroia healthy; he’s the epitome of a Red Sox player. They brought him in and everybody said he was too short, too small to play the game and he comes in and he’s just got something to prove. He was tearing it up, so I think he’s still got it in him. He can still hit a few home runs for us, but mainly just hold it down in the infield.”"
But what is they key factor for the 2015 Red Sox? Scotty would tell you the same thing that every baseball analyst would: pitching, pitching, pitching.
"“When it comes to the pitching, they’re looking all right. Buchholz is the main guy and he’ll be holding down the Sox this year. But he’s one of those guys that either he’s on or he’s not. I think in the second game he ever he pitched, he threw a no hitter, and then, you know, he had a few off games the next year, so we’ll see where his arm’s at this year. But I dig him.”"
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So what are McCreery’s final predictions? The country singer is being realistic, and doesn’t expect the Red Sox to blow through their competition. That being said, with a little luck, and a lot of hard work, who knows what could happen?
"“I could see us going 80-82. I don’t think we’re going to come out and just blow people out of the water, but I think we’ll win 80. I could see us doing that and hopefully making a good run at the playoffs. As long as they get in, who knows? It’s just one of those things, once you get into the postseason anything can happen. All you got to do is be hot; all you got to do is get on a little run, so it’s not like you are playing 162 games all over again. You got to try to fight to get in, and then in 5 games or 7 games anything can happen.”"