Red Sox-Rangers (April 4, 2005); Opening Day Ramblings

The Red Sox will try to make it two-in-a-row to begin the 2006 season as Tim Wakefield faces off against Vicente Padilla tonight in Texas at 8:05 p.m. (NESN and WEEI). Other than the pitching match-up, there's not much to say on this one. It is still too early in the season for me to come up with anything of substance on a Sox-Rangers game. I guess we could get excited over the Red Sox debut of Josh Bard, Wakefield's new personal catcher. Although tonight's game doesn't have me salivating, yesterday was a fine day of baseball that cranked up my interest level a dozen notches or so. Clemens in Texas ... talking to the Red Sox. The Yankees spanking the A's 134-1. Of course, can the Bombers win any 2-1 games? That is to be seen. While I'm on the Yankees, shouldn't Gary Sheffield bear any responsibility in this steroid mess? The man admitted to "unknowingly" taking 'roids while in the presence of Barry Bonds. He shouldn't get a mulligan because he tattled on Barry. Bonds may be a jerk but that does not give fans the right to throw a syringe onto the playing field. It's just not cool. (Especially because we all know Barry likes to rub his cheating cream directly onto his muscles.) Do you think if Derek Lowe asked Grady Little to stay in yesterday's game that he would have allowed it? Good to see Roberto Petagine taking Francisco Rodriguez deep. Too bad for the Mariners that Ichiro couldn't extend the game. You know something, now I am ready for tonight's game. I hope that Wake's knuckler is knee-bending and that the Boston bats pound Padilla like they pounded Kevin Millwood yesterday.