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Red Sox: 3 reasons why Boston will win the AL East in 2022

By Tom Balestracci

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 11: Enrique Hernandez #5 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates his game winning sacrifice fly with teammates in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays during Game 4 of the American League Division Series at Fenway Park on October 11, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - OCTOBER 11: Enrique Hernandez #5 of the Boston Red Sox celebrates his game winning sacrifice fly with teammates in the ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays during Game 4 of the American League Division Series at Fenway Park on October 11, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Winslow Townson/Getty Images) /
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Red Sox 2b Trevor Story
FT. MYERS, FL – MARCH 30: Trevor Story #10 of the Boston Red Sox hits a single during the fourth inning of his Boston Red Sox Spring Training Grapefruit League debut game against the Atlanta Braves on March 30, 2022 at jetBlue Park at Fenway South in Fort Myers, Florida. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty Images) /

This Red Sox lineup needs to be as good as advertised

This lineup will be one of the best in all of baseball. The projected batting order of Kike Hernandez, Rafael Devers, Xander Bogaerts, J.D. Martinez, Alex Verdugo, Trevor Story, Bobby Dalbec, Jackie Bradley Jr., and Christian Vazquez should scare opposing pitchers.

The addition of Story has lengthened this lineup and it will be difficult for opposing pitchers to get a break when facing off against them. Whenever you have Story and Dalbec batting 6th and 7th, you know your lineup is stacked.

Last season, the Red Sox finished first in doubles (330), second in slugging percentage (.449), third in average (.261), third in OPS (.777), third in hits (1434), fifth in runs (829), and sixth in home runs (219). I can see all of those numbers rising this year.

With Devers crushing the ball this spring, Martinez in a contract year, Verdugo and Dalbec having the potential of breakout campaigns, JBJ back in familiar territory, and the addition of Story have all the makings of being elite at all levels. The lineup will keep them competitive down the stretch. Maybe we will even see some more stolen bases this season. Fans can only hope.

Next. 2022 Red Sox breakout candidates. dark

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