Time to Roll the Dice.....K

After a very disappointing start to the season, the Red Sox look to finally pick up the first win of the season tonight against the Cleveland Indians.

The Red Sox were swept in Texas by the Rangers, who look as powerful as they did in 2010. Then they were defeated by the Indians yesterday. Jon Lester had a rough outing, John Lackey, Clay Buccholz, and Josh Beckett have been unable to get it done. The ball now goes to the Red Sox number five starter, Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Dice K pitched a lot of innings this spring, but also posted a high ERA of 4.79. Against the youth of the Indians, however, he should be able to use his veteran status to control the Indians lineup.

The Red Sox offense also is trying to make adjustments. Coach Terry Francona has been shuffling the lineup to try to find the right fit for this team. Carl Crawford has been moved up and down.
Will the Sox be relying on speed or power to break out of the season starting slump? Tune in tonight to find out.

And it all Begins

The Major League basbeall season is upon us. Some teams, like the hated New York Yankees, kick off their regular season today (weather permitting, as New York is forecasting snow). Others, like our beloved Red Sox, begin the season on the road tomorrow as they take on the defending American league Champion Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas.

Most pundits are predicting lofty things for the 2011 Boston Red Sox, with 42 of 45 ESPN analysts predicting that the Red Sox will at least make the World Series, if not win it all. Thier is one natinoal hold out, however. Paul White, writing for USA Today, predicts that the Red Sox won't even make the playoffs this year. What is this guy smoking?

Red Sox Peg Jon Lester with Opening Day Honors

The Boston Red Sox have chosen lefty Jon Lester to be their opening day starting pitcher for the 2011 season.  This is the first time in his career that he has had this privilege.  With the vast following of Red Sox nation, and the high hopes that fans, the media, and team management have for the 2011 Red Sox, this honor is a testament in the faith the Sox have that Lester can be the anchor for the rotation.

Lester was chosen over veterans Josh Beckett, John Lackey, Daisuke Matsuzaka, and fellow youngster Clay Buchholz.

Lester is already rumored to be a leading candidate for the Cy Young Award this year, awarded annually to the best pitcher in both the National and American Leagues.

In 2010, Jon Lester led the Red Sox with a 19-9 record,posting a career high in wins.  He also had a 3.25 ERA in 208 innings pitched.  He averaged 9.7 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched, and a had a walks to hit ratio (WHIP) of 1.202, the lowest in his career.

Lester made his first appearance as an all star in 2010, and finished fourth in Al Cy Young voting.

$100 million man up for grabs

The Boston Red Sox are reportedly looking to trade Daisuke Matsuzaka.  After paying $50 million just for the rights to talk with Dice-K, and then signing him to a $52 million contract, the Red Sox have had enough.

In four years with Boston, Matsuzaka has started 98 games, compiling a 46-27 record in that span, with an ERA of 4.18.  His best year was in 2008, when he went 18-3.  However, since then, he has battles injuries and a high ERA, posting a 4-6 record in 2009, with a 5.76 ERA, and going 9-6 in 2010, with a 4.69 ERA.

The Red Sox had high hopes for Matsuzaka after he came over from Japan, however, he has never been able to establish himself as a dominant force in the major leagues, as he was in Japan.  His famous "gyroball" has been nonexistent.

Boston may have trouble peddling him though, as Dice-K has a $10 million contract for 2011 and 2012, and more importantly, a no trade clause.

Sox sweep two in Split Squad games Tuesday

Though Stolme Pimentel had a rocky start today, allowing 5 hits, 1 walk, and 2 earned runs in 1.2 innings, the Red Sox defeated the St Louis Cardinals 8-7.  Jacoby Ellsbury had three hits in a leadoff role.  Ryan Lavarway also blasted a two run homer to pace the Red Sox.

In their other game, Josh Beckett led the Red Sox to a 3-2 win over the Houston Astros.  Beckett pitched 3.2 innings today, allowing 3 hits, 1 walk, and striking out four.  He allowed 1 earned run.  Jonathan Papelbon also pitched an inning in relief, allowing no hits, while striking out one.Ryan Kalish and Jarrod Saltalamcchia paced the offense for the Red Sox.

Agon Goes live

Adrian Gonzalez is getting in the swing of things, literally.  Today he took live batting, taking about 75 swings at City of Palms Park. This is all part of his recovery from shoulder surgery he had on his right arm.

Manager Terry Francona sees no reason to rush Gonzalez into the lineup, and will allow Gonzalez to completely rehab before inserting him into the lineup.  The Red Sox expect Gonzalez to make his Spring Training debut sometime this week.

Even with his limited time swinging, Gonzalez shows glimpses of why the Red Sox signed him, hitting a few balls over the fence.  With the bats of both Gonzalez and David Ortiz, the Red Sox have a formidable combination in the middle of the batting order.

It may be spring training, but the Sox still beat the Yankees

Fielding a lineup comprised completely of back up players, the Boston Red Sox defeated the New York Yankees 5-3 today.  McDonald, Lin, Kalish, Lowrie, Tejeda, Esposito, Nava, et al combined for only 2 hits against Yankees starter Bartolo Colon, but when they yankees brought in their younger pitchers, the Sox made it count, getting 3 runs in the seventh.

Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz looked impressive in his second outing so far, allowing 1 hit over 3 innings, while striking out three.

In typical Red Sox-Yankees fashion, this game lasted over 3 hours.