| | ESPN.com
Ramon Martinez isn't even the best pitcher in his family -- that honor would quite naturally go to younger brother Pedro -- but he might well hold the key to Boston's season.
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RED SOX LOWDOWN |
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|  | | Ramon Martinez hasn't made 30 starts in a season since 1995. |
1999: 94-68
Runs: 836, 9th in AL
Allowed: 718, 1st in AL
Key facts
Nomar Garciaparra has improved his batting average, slugging percentage and on-base percentage three straight seasons.
Boston led the AL in ERA even though only one pitcher (Pedro Martinez) pitched enough innings to qualify for the ERA title.
Tim Kurkjian's scenarios
Best-case: Pedro Martinez has another phenominal season, Carl Everett supplies needed production and the Sox challenge the Yankees for the AL pennant
Worst-case: Pedro doesn't get enough help from the rest of the rotation, Nomar Garciaparra gets hurt, even for a short amount of time, and Boston misses the playoffs.
Prediction: 2nd in AL East
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While everyone half-expects Pedro to repeat his magical season of a year ago, the Boston pitching staff may, in a curious way, be more dependent on Ramon.
Ramon pitched just 20 2/3 innings in the major leagues last year -- he missed much of the season recovering from rotator cuff surgery the previous season. Yet he is a critical part of Boston's aim at a third consecutive postseason appearance.
With Bret Saberhagen sidelined for the first few months with shoulder surgery of his own, Martinez is being asked to be the team's No. 2 starter behind Pedro.
If Martinez can be the pitcher he's been for much of his career -- his .616 winning percentage is among the best of active pitchers -- then the Sox should be fine.
But after the Martinez Bros., the rotation is speckled with questions. Can Jeff Fassero rebound from his worst season? Is Brian Rose ready to assume a regular turn? Can Tim Wakefield again be counted on for his customary 15 wins after shuttling between the rotation and the bullpen?
Naturally, Ramon's success will be determined by his health. This spring, he's thrown pain free and begun throwing his slider again after getting by with essentially two pitchers last fall.
"I feel normal," he said. "I forget that I had surgery. The shoulder is comfortable. I don't worry about it. It should be fine. All I want is a healthy season. If I keep feeling the way I am, I'm going to have a good season, there's no question. And if I'm healthy, (the team is) going to be fine."
The awards may go Pedro. But for the Red Sox to succeed, they'll need plenty of help from the "other" Martinez.
-- Sean McAdam
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Lineup comments and grades from ESPN The Magazine
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Player
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Comment
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Grade
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J. Offerman, 2B
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AL's second-best leadoff OBP. Discovered warrior demeanor with this team
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B
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John Valentin, 3B
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Coming off knee surgery. Has attention lapses in two hole -- many a missed sign
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D
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N. Garciaparra, SS
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Hits ball on same place on bat every swing -- and swings at pitches everywhere
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A
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Carl Everett, CF
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Cutting-edge competitor whom Astro players thought was their best money player
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B
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Troy O'Leary, LF
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Other than Yaz, "Yummy" is Fenway's best defensive LF in last 50 years
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B
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Mike Stanley, 1B
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Hammers lefties (.559 slugging last five years). May be the AL's best sign stealer
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C
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B. Daubach, DH
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How he adjusts to diet of high heat will determine length of his fairy-tale run
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C
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Jason Varitek, C
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Offensive-guard legs. Getting ball in air more could make him a 40-HR hitter
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B
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Trot Nixon, RF
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Stronger, quicker, more relaxed this spring. Swing looks like Will Clark's in 1989
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B
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Pitching comments and grades from ESPN The Magazine
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Pitcher
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Comment
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Grade
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P. Martinez, SP
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Alomar, Junior, Ramirez, Delgado, Thomas, Sosa vs. Pedro: 12-for-109, 51 K's
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A
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R. Martinez, SP
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Now has sinking, running fastball and new slider to go with old, great change
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B
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Jeff Fassero, SP
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This'll help: reunion with coach Joe Kerrigan and revelation he tipped his pitches
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D
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T. Wakefield, SP
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Can start on three days' rest and relieve in between: 15 saves, 17 starts in 1999
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C
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R. Cormier, RP
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Great comeback from elbow surgery. Throttled lefties (.198). Can also close
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B
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Derek Lowe, RP
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Best sinker in AL (3.14 career GB/FB ratio). Can pitch anywhere
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A
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