MLB SHOWDOWN 2019 SET -- Boston Red Sox

The defending World Series Champions took a big step back this season compared to the dominant team they put out in 2018. That side they put some first round draft pick talent out as well to be corner stones of a drafting league. Finishing with an 84-78 record they finished third in the AL East, the first time they didn't win the division since 2015.

Lineup: This top of this lineup is going to flat out with this team games, with a downgraded Betts from last year, hes still a 500 point beast of a lead off hitter. Behind him is the upgraded Xander Bogaerts with his 10 OB doubling at 15. JD Martinez dropped off some power from last year as well but still a devastating hitter that you will not want to be giving up your chart to. Rafael Devers is a sneaky clean up hitter with his 9 on base and huge double range thanks to his season of 54 doubles. Benintendi, Moreland and Chavis all can pick up the slack if any of the runners ahead of the mare left on base. Turning the order around is Jackie Bradley JR as the secondary lead off man. This line up can be a lot of fun, scoring won't be the problem for this team, it is keeping the other team off the score board that will be the problem. No bench for the Red Sox

Rotation: the Rotation is quite the step down from last years power packed rotation.Eduardo Rodriguez is the leader of this rotation which may be a scary thought. He falls right into the average pitcher range and is followed up by a few more average guys, oh how the mighty have fallen Chris Sale and David Price. Cashner is the 4th guy in the rotation so at that point you have a very below average rotation to send to battle with a loaded offense. After that you have two 10 point guys that will fall into the bullpen in Jhoulys Chacin and Rick Porcello. Rick Porcello is a big downgrade from last year, probably not going to get many 6IP 5 hits 2 earned run outings from this years version right JEFF???(counting on Jeff reading this all the way through)

Bullpen: Brandon Workman is the stud closer who could be the top closer taken off the board in a draft. Even if you roll above an out on his chart its only a walk. Below him is a decent to solid bullpen with them all being average at worst and can at least be relied upon to get a few outs after the starters to get to bring in Workman to shut the door.

Summary: This team as seen above can get some wins, but the pitching staff will keep them from making a division title push especially with the Rays and Yankees ahead of them in the standings. The Red Sox come in at 5380 points and an average of 269 points per player. They are above average but below the line of top tier teams to win some big games.