The Boston Red Sox will head into the 2010 MLB season with one goal in mind: a return to the World Series. Winning it all in 2007 and 2004 has Red Sox fans expecting a championship every season and anything short of a title is viewed as a disappointment. The Red Sox couldn’t keep up with the Yankees last season, losing to the Anaheim Angels in the AL Division Series in three games as the Wild Card entry in the American League. The Red Sox reloaded in the off season bringing in John Lackey into an already impressive starting rotation, Adrian Beltre to shore up the third baseman position, and Marco Scutaro and Mike Cameron to buff up the outfield. The Red Sox have showed both their strengths and weaknesses this spring with a record of 13-14 heading into their final stretch of spring training games. The Sox’s quest for their eighth World Series title begins when Boston opens up the 2010 season at home against the New York Yankees on Sunday, April 4th.

Newly signed right hander John Lackey has gotten off to a positive start in a Red Sox uniform having not given up a run in his first two spring training starts. The former Los Angeles Angels ace worked three innings against the New York Mets in Grapefruit League play. Lackey gave up three hits in his start showing both excellent control and velocity in his pitching motion. Lackey has a career ERA under 4 and is coming off a decent 11-8 season with the Angels. In 2007, Lackey was a Cy Young candidate winning 19 games and being voted to the AL All Star Game. Jeremy Hermida and Mike Cameron both had RBIs in the Red Sox win over the Mets 8-2 in Port St. Lucie, FL. Clay Buscholtz will take the mound on Friday in Junipter, FL when the Red Sox face the St. Louis Cardinals.

The collegiate squads of Northeastern University and Boston College got a thrill facing the Boston Red Sox in a spring training exhibition. Manager Terry Francona told the media that he thought facing college teams was a better way to get ready for Grapefruit League than a inner-league scrimmage. The Red Sox were able to use a lot of pitches and get a lot of guys on the roster multiple at bats. David Ortiz hit a two-run homer against Northeastern for the Sox in route to a 15-0 win. Boston College scored a run on the Red Sox in the fifth inning of their match up thanks to a Spencer Payne single. The Red Sox kick off spring training competition on Friday against the Minnesota Twins.