The Updated Potential 2010 Boston Red Sox Roster: Pitching Staff

This is part two of my updated two-part series highlighting the Boston Red Sox' potential Opening Day roster. You can find part one of the updated series here: and the original two-part series here: and here:

Starter 1: Josh Beckett

Beckett has been the ace of the Red Sox staff since 2006, and that shouldn't change in 2010. Expect another solid year from Beckett.

Starter 2: Jon Lester

The kid who survived cancer just keeps getting better and better. Lester is the ace-in-waiting when or if Beckett leaves. Get used to the strong lefty.

Starter 3: John Lackey

The guy who will be in the Red Sox rotation for the next five years has always been underrated (in my opinion). Lackey, Lester, and Beckett will form a three-headed pitching monster, which should be very, very frightening for an opposing lineup in the ALDS.

Starter 4: Daisuke Matsuzaka

I have one thing to say about Dice-K: If he pitches like he does in the World Baseball Classic, then this will be a great year for him. If he pitches like he did during last year's regular season, it'll be another long season for the Red Sox' first Japanese import.

Starter 5: Clay Buchholz/Tim Wakefield

The no-hit kid has taken a few steps back these last couple of seasons, but he seemed to come into his own during the 2009 stretch run, and pitched great in Game 3 of the ALDS.

Expect him to become a solid No. 3 or No. 2. He could possibly be an ace someday.

Reliever: Ramon Ramirez

A reliable rigthy out of the 'pen. he has a power arm, and he did well under the radar last season.

Reliever: Boof Bonser

BOOOOOF!!!

Bonser might bounce up and down between AAA and the major leagues. He probably will be seen in about the 25-45 games for the Red Sox in 2010.

Reliever: Ramon A. Ramirez

No, not the guy who you were thinking.

Ramon A. Ramirez is a young reliever who was in the Cincinnati Reds organization. He should bounce between AAA and the MLB in 2010.

Reliever: Hideki Okajima

Okajima has always seemed to be an underrated reliever for the Red Sox.

Okajima is maybe the best in a very good bullpen (besides Jonathan Papelbon).

Reliever: Daniel Bard

D-Bard hit a rough patch right when it mattered most for the Red Sox: the stretch run from late August to mid-September, as gave up a number of clutch home runs against the Yankees and Rays.

He throws 100 MPH regularly, and should be the future closer for the Red Sox.

Reliever: Manny Delcarmen

Delcarmen is another under the radar reliever for the Red Sox. He has appeared in at least one game for Boston in every season since 2005, and that definitely won't change in 2010.

Reliever: Michael Bowden

Bowden will be another guy who will be bouncing between the minors and the majors. Right now, he's looking to try to get in and get a piece of a crowded bullpen.

Reliever: Junichi Tazawa

Junichi probably won't spend the entire season in the big leagues.

He's most remembered in his young career for giving up a game winning, extra inning home run to Alex Rodriguez in a game against the New York Yankees at New Yankee Stadium.

Hopefully, Tazawa will be able to make better memories in the majors.

Closer: Jonathan Papelbon

Paps had an off year last season. His low point happened to be Game 3 of the ALDS. Hopefully, Papelbon will rebound for 2010.