MLB PREVIEW: Let's Play Two. New York Mets & Boston Red Sox

By Andrew Marcus
Sportswriter for Lansdale Reporter

Follow me on Twitter @amarcus515

#14.

PROJECTED LINEUP
CF Juan Lagares
2B Daniel Murphy
3B David Wright
RF Curtis Granderson
LF Michael Cuddyer
1B Lucas Duda
C Travis D'Arnaud
SS Wilmer Flores

PROJECTED ROTATION
Matt Harvey
Bartolo Colon
Jacob DeGrom
Jon Niese
Dillon Gee

PROJECTED BULLPEN
Closer: Jenrry Mejia
Set-up: Jeurys Familia

Top Prospect: Noah Syndergaard (P)

BREAKOUT - There are easy breakout choices when you look at a talented starting pitching staff. Harvey alreay had his campaign, as did DeGrom, and with Zack Wheeler hurt, let's look at bullpen instead of reaching for Noah Syndergaard. Mets closer Jenrry Mejia has a chance to solidfy himself in the ninth inning. In save situations last year he had a 1.50 ERA and allowed five earned runs in 30 innings. Mejia has a chance to flirt with 40 plus saves this season.

SPRING STORYLINES - It is a sexy pick this season to see the Mets flirt with the playoffs. The loss of Wheeler to Tommy John stings, but not many teams have the depth the Mets do on the mound. Dillon Gee and Rafael Montero will fill in just fine. The real question comes in the lineup. Can run producers like David Wright, Curtis Granderson, and Michael Cuddyer still drive in the runs needed to support their staff.

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 79-83 (2nd in NL East)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 85-77 (3rd in NL East)

#13.

PROJECTED LINEUP
CF Mookie Betts
2B Dustin Pedroia
LF Hanley Ramirez
DH David Ortiz
3B Pablo Sandoval
1B Mike Napoli
RF Shane Victorino
C Christian Vaszquez
SS Xander Boegarts

PROJECTED ROTATION
Clay Buchholz
Rick Porcello
Justin Masterson
Wade Miley
Joe Kelly

PROJECTED BULLPEN
Closer: Koji Uehara
Set-up Man: Edward Mujica

Top Prospect: Blake Swihart (C)

BREAKOUT - The announcement has been made and Mookie Betts will play center field every day in Boston, beating of the six other viable starters in the outfield. The athletic 22 year-old has a chance to flirt with 100 runs right away if he can stay atop of the potent lineup the Red Sox have created.

SPRING STORYLINES - It will be interesting to see how the new faces fit in for the Red Sox. Pablo Sandoval and Hanley Ramirez have a chance to take the Red Sox from last to first place if they stay healthy and field their positions. Someone if a starting rotation of number three starters will have to step up and be team ace. Or they will need to make a big move at the deadline.

LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 71-91 (5th in AL East)

PROJECTED 2013 FINISH: 86-66 (2nd in AL East)

**Check back tomorrow for the Indians and Padres*