Greetings from Flu Central, where R. and I are both down with a nasty bug.

Pitchers and catchers officially report to Fort Meyers tomorrow. In that spirit, here are the top five things that have to go right with the pitching staff for the Sox to be a serious contender in 2006.

1. Schilling has to be healthy and win 16-18 games.

2. Foulke has to be healthy, have his head screwed on straight and return to his 2004 form as the closer.

3. Josh Beckett has to live up to his potential and avoid blisters, shoulder issues and any other oddball injuries and win 15-17 games.

4. The projected starting rotation should be Schilling, Beckett, Wakefield, Clement, Papelbon. Wells goes to San Diego, Arroyo goes to the bullpen and Clemens either goes back to the Astros or goes home. Arroyo provides great insurance if one of the starters goes down or Clement can't get it together.

5. If the bullpen of Arroyo, Foulke, Timlin, David Riske, Julian Tavares and Lenny DiNardo stays healthy, this could be a strength of the Sox in 2006. On top of these guys, you have Manny Delcarmen and Craig Hansen waiting in the minors. A giant monkey wrench gets thrown into the plan if #2 doesn't happen, though.