Adrian Gonzalez: Red Sox First Baseman Will Make Good on HR Guarantee vs Rays

In his first 37 games of the 2012 season, Adrian Gonzalez is having a pretty good start to the year.

However, in Boston, "pretty good" is far from good enough for a team that is in last place in the American League East. While their .459 winning percentage is not the worst in the American League, it does place them in the bottom-tier of teams.

Typically, the Red Sox are in the same conversation as the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. This year, they are among the same conversation as the Angels, but not in a good way.

Gonzalez has been quoted by WEEI.com's Rob Bradford as having said: "I'll start hitting home runs," he said. "I'll hit a home run tomorrow."

The tomorrow being referenced is Thursday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays when the team will be facing a struggling lefty Matt Moore.

As pointed out by Dayn Perry for CBS Sports, in six career plate appearances, Gonzalez has managed only a .200/.333/.200 batting line with no homers against Moore.

It is also worth noting that, throughout his career, Gonzalez has hit just 48 of his 149 home runs against left-handers, and he also slugs 108 points lower against lefties than he does against the opposite side.

That being said, 2012 is yielding different results. Gonzalez has actually been slugging better off of left-handers, 64 points higher than against right-handers (.455 to .391).

He has hit one home run and driven in 10 RBI off of each righties and lefties. However, he has faced lefties 37 fewer times this season; 92 at-bats versus 55.

If one is to go by history, Gonzalez will have a difficult time living up to his promise. If you prefer the "what have you done for me lately" mentality, be sure to pay attention, as Gonzo has a good chance to live up to his promise.