Red Sox History: Ranking every squad of the 21st century
By Daniel Fox
No. 3: 2007 Red Sox (96-66)
The only Red Sox team this century to finish in the top five in the majors in runs scored and ERA, the 2007 Red Sox were a well-balanced machine.
The offense was a mix of new and old, with Rookie of the Year Dustin Pedroia (.317 average), up-and-coming first baseman Kevin Youkilis (.390 OBP), and veteran third baseman Mike Lowell (.324/.378/.501, 21 HR 120 RBI) supporting a typically strong David Ortiz season (.332/.445/.621, 35 HR 117 RBI).
The fielding was elite as well with light-hitting shortstop Julio Lugo, center fielder Coco Crisp, Pedroia, and Youkilis.
On the pitching side, Josh Beckett won 20 games with a solid 3.27 ERA, while Curt Schilling (3.87 ERA) and Daisuke Matsuzaka (15 wins, 4.42 ERA) supported him in the rotation. As good as the offense and the rotation were, though, the team’s strength was in the bullpen. Jonathan Papelbon established himself as one of the best closers in baseball, saving 42 games with a 1.85 ERA. Four other relievers had sub-4 ERAs, led by Japanese rookie Hideki Okajima, who earned an All-Star berth.
Though this Red Sox team had their ups and downs, including nearly blowing an 11.5 game lead to the Yankees and going down 3-1 in the ALCS to the Indians, they were as complete as any Red Sox team this century.