The Sox have virtually the same 25-man roster that won the 2007 World Series and seem primed for another run at their third World Series trophy in the last five seasons. OF Jacoby Ellsbury has all but won the starting center field job as OF Coco Crisp has been slowed by a groin injury. 1B Sean Casey, RHP David Aardsma and RHP Bartolo Colon represent the only real new blood on the Sox's roster this season.

The Sox surprised some with the release of backup catcher Doug Mirabelli toward the end of spring, but Kevin Cash is a solid defensive option as Jason Varitek's backup.

ROTATION:

1. RHP Josh Beckett

2. RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka

3. RHP Tim Wakefield

4. LHP Jon Lester

5. RHP Bartolo Colon

The injury to Curt Schilling will require a bit more reliance on the younger arms at the back end of the rotation, but Lester has looked strong and the Sox signed Colon for depth purposes. Beckett won't make the trip to Japan and probably won't pitch until the team reaches Toronto, but he should again be a strong Cy Young Award contender.

Expect Matsuzaka to make a leap forward as he gains a feel for a new changeup and is able to draw on a year of experience in the majors. If Wakefield can remain healthy, he will be a vital cog in the middle of the starting staff. Colon has impressed the Sox with his arm strength since he signed with the team, but he hasn't been healthy since his Cy Young season in 2005.

BULLPEN:

RHP Jonathan Papelbon (closer)

LHP Hideki Okajima

RHP Mike Timlin

RHP Manny Delcarmen

RHP Julian Tavarez

RHP David Aardsma

Papelbon ties everything together at the back end of the bullpen, and team officials hope Okajima, after a solid spring, can duplicate his miraculous rookie season as a lights-out setup man. Timlin and Tavarez will provide experience and arms still capable of meaningful innings. Teammates have marveled at Timlin's work at age 42.

Delcarmen dropped 10 pounds this winter and could pair with Okajima to be a devastating setup combo in the eighth inning. Aardsma has impressed Sox officials with his explosive fastball this spring.

LINEUP:

1. CF Jacoby Ellsbury

2. 2B Dustin Pedroia

3. DH David Ortiz

4. LF Manny Ramirez

5. 3B Mike Lowell

6. RF J.D. Drew

7. 1B Kevin Youkilis

8. C Jason Varitek

9. SS Julio Lugo

The lineup is identical to the one penciled in during the World Series games at Fenway Park and perfectly illustrates the stunning lack of change and turnover this season. Expect Ortiz and Ramirez to have monstrously big seasons and both Drew and Lugo to revert to their normal career numbers after both had a shaky first season in Boston.

A great deal of the offense's health and well-being relies upon Ellsbury and Pedroia's ability to provide runners for the thumpers in the middle of the lineup to drive in. It will be interesting to see if Lowell can duplicate his career season in 2007 and continue to provide lineup protection for Ramirez.

RESERVES:

C Kevin Cash

1B Sean Casey

SS Alex Cora

OF Coco Crisp

OF Bobby Kielty

The bench is a potential source of strength for the Sox this season with Cash providing solid defensive work in a unique situation with knuckleballer Tim Wakefield. Casey will spell both Lowell and Youkilis when they need a blow, and the former All-Star could be an excellent left-handed pinch-hitting option late in games.

Crisp looks as if he'll start the season backing up Ellsbury but could provide game-changing speed and defensive ability in the late innings. Kielty will be an excellent right-handed hitting complement to J.D. Drew in right field, and Cora continues to be among the most reliable and heady utility players in the major leagues.

ROOKIE WATCH: RHP Clay Buchholz showed flashes of dominance during his no-hit performance against the Baltimore Orioles on Sept. 1 but will likely start the season honing his fastball command at Class AAA Pawtucket. OF Jacoby Ellsbury retained his rookie status despite hitting .353 in September and starring for the Sox during the World Series. Ellsbury could be an electric performer at the top of Boston's lineup.

MEDICAL WATCH:

RF J.D. Drew (back spasms) had to be scratched from the Opening Day lineup, but the injury wasn't believed to be serious.

RHP Curt Schilling (right shoulder) began experiencing discomfort during the offseason and has been out all spring. Schilling was placed on the 60-day disabled list as he undergoes a muscle-strengthening program. Schilling is expected to be out until at least the All-Star break, and his legendary career might be over.

OF Coco Crisp (tightness in both groin muscles) has been slowed since nearly the beginning of spring training but has returned to active duty. He has still looked tentative when trying to run full speed.

RHP Josh Beckett (back spasms) is likely to start the season on the disabled list. Beckett has pronounced his back healthy and has begun pitching in games at the Sox's minor league complex in Fort Myers. He still needs to build up arm strength, but if all goes according to plan he should be back in time for the April 4-6 series at Toronto.

RHP Mike Timlin (cut on right ring finger) needed two stitches to close the cut and was expected to be out until around March 25.

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