The World Series is underway between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Milwaukee Brewers as both franchises chase their first championships. While the Boston Red Sox look ahead to the 2027 season, the club holds the most rings since 2000 following a generational run of October success.
The World Series Production Lineup
To construct the best lineup and starting rotation based on World Series performance, selections are drawn from Boston’s four championship teams. The batting order starts in center field with Jacoby Ellsbury from 2007, batting .438 with four doubles, four runs, and three RBIs. Dustin Pedroia of 2007 takes second base after hitting a leadoff home run in Game 1 and recording an .850 OPS.
At designated hitter is 2013 World Series MVP David Ortiz, who posted a .688 average with two home runs, six RBIs, eight walks, and a 1.948 OPS. Manny Ramirez from 2004 holds down left field as the World Series MVP after hitting .412 with a home run, four RBIs, and a 1.088 OPS. Third base goes to 2007 World Series MVP Mike Lowell, who hit .400 with a home run, four RBIs, six runs, and a 1.300 OPS.
Steve Pearce of 2018 takes first base as World Series MVP, batting .333 with three home runs, eight RBIs, and a 1.667 OPS. Jason Varitek anchors the catcher position from the 2004 team that broke the curse, contributing a triple and two RBIs. Trot Nixon rounds out the outfield from 2004, hitting .357 with three RBIs and a game-sealing double in Game 4, while Julio Lugo plays shortstop from 2007 after hitting .385 with two runs.
The four-man starting rotation features left-hander Jon Lester from 2013, who went 2-0 with a 0.59 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 15.1 innings. Right-hander Josh Beckett from 2007 joins after throwing seven innings allowing one earned run with nine strikeouts, alongside 2004 right-hander Pedro Martinez, who tossed seven shutout innings with three hits allowed and six strikeouts. Left-hander David Price completes the rotation from 2018 with a 2-0 record, a 1.98 ERA, and 10 strikeouts across 13.2 innings.
The Pure Talent Lineup
A roster built on pure talent features Mookie Betts in right field from 2018, the year he won the AL MVP and batting title with a .346 average. Dustin Pedroia returns at second base from his 2007 AL Rookie of the Year campaign, while David Ortiz shifts to designated hitter based on his 2004 regular season that featured 41 home runs and a .983 OPS.
Manny Ramirez remains in left field from 2004 following a regular season with 43 home runs and a World Series MVP honor. Xander Bogaerts plays shortstop from 2018 after driving in 103 runs with an .883 OPS during the regular season, and Mike Lowell occupies third base from 2007 following a 124-RBI regular season.
Kevin Youkilis takes first base from 2007 after posting an .843 regular-season OPS, Jason Varitek stays at catcher from 2004 with a .292 average and .876 regular-season OPS, and Jacoby Ellsbury holds center field from his 2007 introduction where he batted .353. The pitching staff keeps the same four arms, as each pitcher spent at least one season as the established ace of the Red Sox rotation.
