Boston Sports Are Returning: Some Predictions, Guaranteed to be Right (!?)

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Can it possibly be that soon all four of Boston’s major pro sports teams will be in action? Could the Red Sox, Celtics, and Bruins actually begin to produce real W’s and L’s after a forced virus-based hibernation, and that the Pats will be on the practice field without jersey #12 in sight? It will be pretty weird for the players to be performing in front of empty seats or cardboard cut-outs and piped-in noise, but I will gladly settle for live action on the field, if not in the stands.

So let me offer some pan-Boston thoughts and three predictions.

First, I’ll believe it when I see it. Apparently soccer in Europe is surviving in the pandemic era. In the English Premier League and the German Bundesliga, players are not testing positive in large numbers and the games apparently are going on successfully. But, as you might have noticed, the numbers of new COVID cases in Europe has dropped precipitously, while new cases in the US are through the roof. Can the players stay healthy??

When it comes to the NBA in particular, I’m not sure how the well-being of the players can overcome the Quadruple Whammy: 1) Of all pro sports, basketball players are in closest constant contact, sweating profusely on one another, constantly talking and yelling (whether for purposes of switching on defense or simply trash-talking), and quite literally in one another’s faces. 2) Basketball happens indoors where particles linger and infection rates are highest. 3) The games are taking place in Florida, not exactly the best place in the world these days if one wants to avoid COVID. 4) The game is played 5-on-5, which means that if just one or two key players test positive this can instantly change a team’s odds of thriving. A positive test means that that guy is gone for a minimum of two weeks, and there’s also a real chance he has infected at least a handful of teammates and/or opponents.

Prediction #1: If the current NBA schedule can actually survive COVID-19 (and sub-prediction 1A is that this is 50-50 at best), the team that is lucky enough to avoid positive tests will win it all, and the winner will not be one of the usual suspects. Sub-prediction 1B: The Celtics will have a minimum of two players test positive and will not reach the finals.

I’m thinking that baseball will likely survive its strange, shortened season, but that those with hopes for the Red Sox will wish it never started. Chaim Bloom may have made it through Yale and may be smart when it comes to finding players that outplay expectations and salary. Still, when it comes to starting pitching, he would need a degree in alchemy because he can’t turn base metal into gold. The Sox rotation starts with Nate Eovaldi, prone to occasional greatness as well as frequent disappointment and constant injury. Then you’ve get Eduardo Rodriguez, maybe coming into his own after a terrific 2019, but yet to prove that he can be an effective 1 or 2. Then you’ve got…nobody. When we start reading of the promise of unproven quantities such as Ryan Weber or Darwinzon Hernandez, or that Brian Johnson, whose 2019 ERA was 6.02 ERA, may be part of the starting rotation, then you realize just how little Red Sox fans have reason for optimism.

Prediction #2: Chaim, I believe in you, but it’s gonna take at least a couple of years of shrewd transactions at the major and minor league levels for this team to contend. I hope you have a comfy basement, because that’s where I think your team will be spending a lot of its time.

And then we have the Patriots, who may or may not escape the worst of the virus by the timing of their schedule. First, lots of players are going to test positive and that will affect their chances (see above). But, let’s face it, all discussions of the Patriots have to start with the QB. Good luck Tom, my minority opinion is that Bill was wise not to invest in prolonging your career. It was going to be time to move on sooner or later, so why not face the future sooner. Jarrett Stidham, I hope you’re the answer. It’s totally impossible to know what we can expect from you, but I’m guessing that you’re at least as good as Jimmy G, so maybe there’s hope for a Patriots future with you at the helm.

And then of course there’s Cam. Cam’s a great low-risk, high-gain Bill Belichick (after)thought. If Cam works out, if he’s capable of playing at his best, then this guy can give Jarrett another couple of years to mature, and he’s a guy who can take you somewhere in the meantime. But if I were a betting man, my money would not be on Mr. Newton. Hoping that my assessment of this QB is not code for stereotyping and racism, I don’t think Cam’s a Patriot. I‘m not sure how quickly he will pick up or buy into the complex Pats offensive scheme. I’m not sure he’s an ultimate team guy. Not only am I not sure what he’s got left in his tank, I fear that he’s not patient enough to take the five yard gains that the defense will give him, or that he and Josh McDaniels will be on the same page soon enough in their shortened pre-season prep time. There’s historical precedent for the Pats taking a chance on former greats who are past their prime. Joey Galloway, Albert Haynesworth, Chad Ochocinco, to name a few, were all-pro’s before being signed by Mr. Belichick. All came bringing great hope, and all departed in little more than the blink of an eye.

Prediction #3: If there’s a season, Jarrett Stidham starts, and Cam Newton will be off somewhere complaining that he wasn’t given a full chance to shine. Bill will say something nondescript on the order of, “Cam Newton’s a great person and athlete…” “Then, Bill why did you cut him?” The explanation he’ll offer will come straight from the Belichick playbook, “Well, you know, we thought it was for the best of the team.”