01:00 AM EST on Sunday, April 2, 2006

No offense in the majors can boast a better 1-2 punch than the Red Sox.

David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez are as fearsome as it gets.

A year ago, Ortiz, Boston's designated hitter, finished second in the MVP voting after bashing 47 homers, driving in 148 runs and hitting .300. Ramirez, meanwhile, had a subpar-for-him batting average (.292), but the left fielder also launched 45 bombs and knocked in 144 runs.

Certainly there is no reason to think they will be any less dominant at the plate in 2006.

But overall, the offense is not likely to generate as many runs as it has over the past three seasons. Boston's batting order will be dangerous at the top, but will have a less-consistent punch after Ramirez bats in the cleanup spot unless Mike Lowell's bat comes to life, Trot Nixon can regain some extra-base power and Jason Varitek doesn't wear down. There are more "outs" to be found in this lineup than in recent seasons.

Coco Crisp replaces Johnny Damon in center field and in the leadoff spot. He's a rising star who had a great spring. His on-base percentage in 2005, when he blossomed for the Indians, basically matched Damon's, but Damon was known for his late-game ability to wear down pitchers in 10-pitch at-bats that set the table for Big Papi and Manny. Can Crisp do that this year?

New second baseman Mark Loretta is likely to be a better number-two hitter than Edgar Renteria was a year ago, which will help give Ortiz and Manny their RBI opportunities.

Who hits fifth, though? And how much protection will he give Ramirez? Will it be Lowell, whose slow bat in Florida in 2005 hasn't looked any faster in a Sox uniform? Will it be Nixon against right-handed pitchers? Will Nixon, who can be a free agent after this season, be able to stay healthy and productive? And will his platoon partner in right, the powerful Wily Mo Pena, be able to cut down his tendency to whiff and become more than a feast-or-famine type of hitter?

There are times when no one can get captain Jason Varitek out, but the catcher also is prone to prolonged droughts. He's a solid number-seven hitter who may have to bat higher in this lineup because the first-base combo of Kevin Youkilis and J.T. Snow isn't going to provide much thump. And number-nine hitter, shortstop Alex Gonzalez, batted about .120 this spring. He's better than that, but his weak offense may keep the lineup from turning over, blunting big innings.

The bench, early on, at least, will include Alex Cora and Adam Stern, two decent hitters better known for their speed, with Willie Harris, another speed guy replacing Stern later this month, and catcher Josh Bard, not known for his offense.

Maybe the Sox will resort to more small ball if Lowell and Nixon don't find consistent power strokes.

skrasner@projo.com / (401) 277-7340