What To Do With Josh Bard?

For what it is worth, I have never caught a major league knuckleball. Regardless of that useless tidbit, I still realize that it may be time to replace Josh Bard as the personal catcher to Mr. Knuckleball on the Red Sox, Tim Wakefield. It is plain to see that Bard just isn't capable of handling the knuckler (not many are). Last night in Cleveland, Bard allowed four passed balls (giving him 10 for the season in only 6 games). You could say I'm being quick to pass judgement but the Sox can hardly afford to wait for the young catcher to learn this difficult craft on the fly -- a playoff berth could just as easily slip away with an April loss as it can with a defeat in September. There are three options in dealing with this problem. 1. Make Jason Varitek the personal Wakefield catcher and have Bard catch another starter. There is some logic to this solution but not much. Yes, moving Bard away from Wakefield solves Bard's problem but does it help 'Tek or Wake? Varitek has enough responsibility in working with the pitching staff, adding Tim Wakefield and that floating knuckler won't help him. And Wakefield needs a guy who will primarily catch him -- as he had in the past with Doug Mirabelli. Which brings me to the second option. 2. Make a trade with the San Diego Padres to bring Mirabelli back to Boston. This scenario does make sense. Wakefield is struggling with the new guy and Mirabelli is off to a slow start with the Padres. Bang! Bring back Mirabelli. However, what will it take for the Sox to get him back in his old No. 29 jersey? And will the Padres be so quick to deal him to Boston after they got him in exchange for Mark Loretta? The Padres would most likely ask for bullpen help -- and I'm thinking that Rudy Seanez might not be enough in April for the Padres to move Mirabelli. They might ask for one of the younger Boston arms -- Craig Hansen, Edgar Martinez, or Manny Delcarmen -- now before the market gets set in June or July. Of course, when San Diego general manager mentions those names to Theo Epstein, the Sox GM will have a good chuckle before politely declining. For now, it seems Mirabelli will probably stay in San Diego. But his name could pop up later this summer. 3. Send Bard to Pawtucket and call-up Ken Huckaby. The most likely option in the immediate future. Bard can go to Pawtucket and play every day while a veteran like Huckaby, who spent a good deal of time this winter catching Wakefield in Florida, can come and help the team behind the plate. Another option is to recall the recently signed Corky Miller from the PawSox. Miller has major league experience catching a knuckleball pitcher, Jared Fernandez, while with the Reds. Whatever the solution may be, the Red Sox need to fix this hole before it gets any worse.

Where Are The Celtics Going?

The question in the title of this rant will be asked at least 100,000,000 times between now and the beginning of the 2006-07 season. The Boston Celtics -- the greatest franchise in NBA history (at least up until 1986) -- still have no firm plan for the future. Start at the top. Since taking over the Celtics as vice-president of basketball operations during the 2003 playoffs, Danny Ainge has talked about making his former team a contender to win a championship. So far his team has won a single division title -- the 2004-05 Atlantic -- and has yet to win a playoff series. But to Ainge's credit, he has added talent to this roster, young talent that has fans like myself drooling over the future. The grain of salt in that fan drool? The fact that the Clippers played this game for over twenty years. For now, Danny has my trust but if this team is still in the lottery three years from now, I'll know who to blame. Will the kids develop? That brings me to the coach, Doc Rivers. Rivers has been criticized in Boston for not playing the kids enough so that they'll develop. However, much of this criticism is unfounded. What is the point of getting a player minutes if said player has not earned those minutes. Even at the end of this season, after it was clear that the C's were going nowhere, Rivers seemed to cringe every time he saw rookie Gerald Green throw up another shot or miss a simple defensive rotation. Yes, the kids need time to prove themselves in the NBA but I think Doc did right by not just handing out minutes that were not earned. As for the players who will ultimately determine whether or not the Celtics will ever see another championship, what is here. Start with Paul Pierce. Pierce elevated his game this year to a standard that many in Boston were beginning to feel he could never attain. His scoring average of 26.8 (on 47.1% shooting from the field) was a career best, he grabbed 6.7-rebounds and dished out 4.7-assists a night. These numbers were good enough to earn the former Kansas star his fifth All-Star appearance. After Pierce, the C's best player is small forward Wally Szczerbiak. After coming over from Minnesota in the Ricky Davis trade, Szczerbiak provided Boston with consistent outside shooting which opened up the lane for Pierce. It is no coincidence that after Szczerbiak came to town that Pierce elevated his game to a new level. If he is healthy in '06-'07 (he recently had knee surgery), the C's will have a solid 1-2 punch on the perimeter. Supporting Pierce and Szczerbiak will be mostly inexperienced players. Guards Delonte West (entering his 3rd season), Tony Allen (3rd), Gerald Green (2nd) and Orien Greene (2nd) as well as big men Al Jefferson (3rd), Kendrick Perkins (4th), Ryan Gomes (2nd) and Dwayne Jones (2nd) constitute the nucleus of the future. Not that all will be here for the next ten years -- some may not be back come October -- but that is what Ainge and Rivers have to work with. Additional veterans Raef LaFrentz, Brain Scalabrine, Michael Olowokandi and Dan Dickau will either provide additional help or will be employed elsewhere. The Celtics also own a lottery pick that currently has them picking at No. 7. Depending on how the ping-pong balls treat them, they may or may not keep the pick. The question is, how can this team get to a level that will make the Celtics important in the NBA for the first time since Larry Bird retired? The first option is a trade for a marquee player. Names such as Kevin Garnett and Jermaine O'Neal will be thrown around this summer. Both would instantly make the Celtics a title contender but do they have enough to grab such a player? Would a package of Jefferson and/or Green, LaFrentz (to match contracts), and two first round picks be enough? Only time will tell. The other option is to ride out the kids. Jefferson and Green are considered the cornerstones of this franchise, is it worth it to Ainge to send them away for a small window at an NBA championship? Maybe isn't good enough an answer for me. Jefferson should be a 14-10 guy next year and if Green can learn a little bit of defense and figure out how to fit in a pro offense, he could be a double-digit scorer off the bench. Couple in Perkins at center, West at point guard and Gomes and Allen off the bench and maybe the C's are heading in the right direction. If they can land a veteran point guard (Speedy Claxton?) to sure up the backcourt, this should be a playoff team a year from now. There is a lot of time until even the draft so I will re-open this topic at that point. Until then, keep hoping that these young players are coming along because that is most likely the path Ainge will choose.

Red Sox-Indians (April 25, 26, & 27)

The Red Sox head in to Cleveland to begin a three game series with the Indians starting tonight. Curt Schilling (4-0, 1.61) gets the start for the Sox tonight -- trying to become just the third pitcher in Red Sox history to open a season 5-0 -- against Jake Westbrook (2-2, 5.92). The first pitch is at 7:05 p.m. and will be on NESN and WEEI. In the second game, Tim Wakefield (1-3, 3.71) looks to continue his solid pitching from the last two starts while also searching for a little run support. He will be opposed by tough lefty Cliff Lee (1-1, 3.33). NESN and WEEI will have the game at 7:05 p.m. Josh Beckett (3-0, 2.54) goes for Boston in the series finale against Paul Byrd (2-2, 9.15). Beckett is looking to bounce back from his last start in Toronto when he squandered a 6-2 lead in the eighth inning in an eventual Red Sox loss. NESN and WEEI will broadcast this one at 7:05 p.m. This is another key early series for the Red Sox. They have their top three starters going against a team with legitimate '06 playoff aspirations. It is one thing for the Sox to go a combined 10-3 against the likes of Baltimore, Tampa Bay and Texas but when they face the good teams -- as they have in their two series versus Toronto -- they have faltered (2-4). Winning 2-of-3 in Jacobs Field will calm the Red Sox Nation masses in April.

2006 NFL Mock Draft

With the ability to update the homepage still impossible, the third annual TheBostonInsider NFL Mock Draft will move to the Daily Blog for the first time. As always when a mock draft is posted by this author, don't for even a second believe that I actually know what's going on -- it's just a way for me to kill some time. 1. New York Jets (from Houston Texans): Reggie Bush, Running Back, USC New coach Eric Mangini makes the un-Belichick move of trading up for a situational -- albeit spectacular -- player. The fans of New York go crazy for this pick now but will they love it two years from now? 2. New Orleans Saints: Mario Williams, Defensive End, NC State The Saints have worked toward rebuilding their offense by signing free agent quarterback Drew Brees. Williams gives them a building block for the other side of the ball. 3. Tennessee Titans: Matt Leinart, Quarterback, USC This pick will come down to Leinart vs. Vince Young but Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow won with Leinart at Southern Cal and believes he can do the same in the NFL. 4. Houston Texans (from New York Jets): D'Brickashaw Ferguson, Offensive Tackle, Virginia The Texans get some much needed extra picks from the Jets to slide down a few notches and select a franchise left tackle at No. 4. You bet your ass that QB David Carr loves this pick. 5. Green Bay Packers: A.J. Hawk, Linebacker, Ohio State The Packers need all the help they can get and Hawk provides a mauler for the defense. I wouldn't be shocked if Vince Young gets grabbed here. 6. San Francisco 49ers: Vernon Davis, Tight End, Maryland Davis is an athletic freak who was the first tight end since the Kennedy administration to lead the ACC in receiving. Alex Smith tips back a few cold ones Saturday night to have this target to throw to for the forseeable future. 7. Oakland Raiders: Jay Cutler, QB, Vanderbilt Young is the name that the whole free world has pegged for this spot but Al Davis isn't comfortable with that throwing motion and Cutler has been tagged with having the best arm in the draft. 8. Cleveland Browns (from Buffalo Bills): Haloti Ngata, Defensive Tackle, Oregon Romeo Crennel will build a winner in Cleveland and he will do it through defense. Ngata is a beast for the middle of the Browns defense. 9. Detroit Lions: Michael Huff, Defensive Back, Texas The first Longhorn taken, Huff gives new coach Rod Marinelli a stud for his secondary. (Yes, that is Vince Young still sitting cold in the green room of TheBostonInsider's mock draft.) 10. Arizona Cardinals: Vince Young, QB, Texas And the fall stops here. Dennis Green won't let the savior of UT go past him. 11. St. Louis Rams: Ernie Sims, LB, Florida State The Rams are a soft bunch. They hope Sims can toughen them up a little. 12. Buffalo Bills (from Cleveland Browns): Winston Justice, OT, USC The Bills liked Justice at No. 8 and they absolutely love him at No. 12. 13. Baltimore Ravens: Chad Jackson, Wide Receiver, Florida Brian Billick's seat in Baltimore is getting hotter and if he's going down, it's with another pass catcher. 14. Philadelphia Eagles: Santonio Holmes, WR, Ohio State The Iggles need help on offense. No. 14 may be early for Holmes but Philly grabs him regardless. 15. Denver Broncos (pick aquired from Falcons): Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Florida State Bunkley may have some character issues but his talent is unquestioned. The Broncos could use another disrupter on the defensive line as they try to make it back to the Super Bowl. 16. Miami Dolphins: Kameiron Wimbley, Defensive End/LB, Florida State A player that division rival New England would love to have, Wimbley can play opposite of Jason Taylor immediately. 17. Minnesota Vikings: Jonathan Joseph, Corner Back, South Carolina The Vikings would love for Cutler to fall to them but they will eat up a playmaker like Joseph. 18. Dallas Cowboys: Chad Greenway, LB, Iowa Parcells gets one of "his guys," a tough as nails, hard hitting, walking cliche at linebacker. Greenway temporarily makes the Tuna forget that he'll be coaching T.O. this year. 19. Carolina Panthers (from San Diego Chargers): DeAngelo Williams, RB, Memphis John Fox needs more stability in the backfield and he can't chance Williams getting by New England and San Francisco. 20. Kansas City Chiefs: Donte Whitner, DB, Ohio State One of these years the Chiefs will play some defense. Whitner helps make that date become more of a reality. 21. New England Patriots: Bobby Carpenter, LB, Ohio State Versatile, physical and just plain mean, Carpenter will be welcomed into a world where a 10-win season and a playoff victory equate with being a loser. 22. San Francisco 49ers (pick acquired from Broncos via Redskins): Manny Lawson, DE/LB, NC State The 49ers must replace departed free agent Julian Peterson and the versatile Lawson just might be able to do that. He could be a sleeper in this draft. 23. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tye Hill, CB, Clemson Ronde Barber is in need of help in the secondary and the diminutive Hill provides some assistance. 24. Cincinnati Bengals: Jimmy Williams, CB, Virginia Tech If the Bengals are to get by the likes of Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger and Peyton Manning in the AFC, they need a stronger secondary. 25. New York Giants: Laurence Maroney, RB, Minnesota Just some long term Tiki-insurance for the G-Men, a team most likely in line for a slip in '06. 26. Chicago Bears: Mercedes Lewis, TE, UCLA One glimpse at the 2005 Bears explains this pick -- lack of offense. Bid farewell to Southern California and get ready for winters in Chicago, Mercedes. 27. San Diego Chargers (from Carolina Panthers): Antonio Cromartie, CB, Florida State A player with a lot of upside, Cromartie may not be ready to make an immediate impact in 2006. According to this wise scribe, he would be the fourth Seminole defender taken in Round One. 28. Jacksonville Jaguars: LenDale White, RB, USC The Jags take one running back with a hamstring problem (White) to provide insurance for a running back with a hamstring problem (Fred Taylor). 29. New York Jets (pick acquired from Broncos): Mathias Kiwanuka, DE, Boston College Kiwanuka provides the Jets defense with a pass rushing defensive end who could eventually play some linebacker in the NFL. A poor-man's version of Willie McGinest? 30. Indianapolis Colts: Eric Winston, OT, Miami Anyone who saw the Steelers defense pummel Peyton Manning in the AFC playoffs knows that the Indy O-Line needs some new beef. 31. Seattle Seahawks: Ashton Youboty, CB, Ohio State Will they defend the NFC? 32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Brian Calhoun, RB, Wisconsin Another back for the Steel City.

Red Sox-Blue Jays (April 21, 22 & 23)

Coming off of a successful 6-4 homestand, the Red Sox venture north to Canada to face the Blue Jays. The Jays took 2-of-3 from the Red Sox last week and are a much improved team from a year ago. Tonight the Red Sox send Josh Beckett (3-0, 1.29) to the hill to face former Florida teammate A.J. Burnett (0-1, 6.00). Both of these pitchers were the stars in Florida and are now involoved in the grueling AL East -- it should make for an interesting match-up. The game starts at 7:07. On Saturday, Lenny DiNardo (0-0, 3.48) goes for the Red Sox against Toronto's ace, Roy Halladay (1-1, 4.20). In Sunday's finale, Matt Clement (1-1, 7.00) of Boston squares off against Josh Towers (0-3, 9.24). Both weekend games begin at 1:07. All three games are on NESN and WEEI. This is an important early series for the Red Sox. The Blue Jays are the interesting pick in the AL East and having already dropped 2-of-3 to Toronto at Fenway, it would be good for the Sox to begin their road trip by returning the favor. If Beckett wins tonight, the Sox should be able to split the weekend.

Red Sox Notes

Well, a successful homestand it has been. The Red Sox have so far taken 6-of-9 games at Fenway with one more game remaining against the Devil Rays tonight. Tim Wakefield (1-2, 4.34) will face Tampa Bay's Scott Kazmir (1-1, 4.82) at 7:05 on NESN and WEEI. The Sox are being carried by both pitching and defense. Starting pitchers Curt Schilling (4-0, 1.61) and Josh Beckett (3-0, 1.29) have headlined a pitching staff that has a cumulative ERA of 3.76. Defensively, the infield of Kevin Youkilis at first, Mark Loretta at second, Alex Gonzalez at short and Mike Lowell at third has been stellar -- they are making life very easy on the Red Sox pitchers. As for the offense, it still has life in it. David Ortiz is just crushing the ball -- .316 BA, 6 HR, 12 RBI -- and he is getting help from Trot Nixon, Lowell and Youkilis. Even Manny Ramirez, who has started the season in a mild slump, is showing signs of being ready to bust out and start killing the baseball again. Going into tonight's game, the Sox are 11-4, the best record in all of baseball, and lead the AL East by 2.5-games. One other short note, because of my problems updating TheBostonInsider homepage, the Red Sox Minor League Player of the Week will be posted here on the blog for the time being. The first winner of the 2006 season is left handed starting pitcher Abe Alvarez of the Pawtucket Red Sox. Alvarez is 2-0 through three starts with a 2.50 ERA. In 18-innings, the lefty from Long Beach State has allowed only five runs and has struck out 10.

Good News For Coco

No, the finger is still fractured. The good news for Coco Crisp today is the announcement that he has signed a 3-year extension with the Red Sox with an option for a fourth year that could keep him in Boston through the 2010 season. Financial terms were not disclosed. This is great news for the Sox. They are working toward keeping their nucleus intact as they move forward toward the end of the decade. First it was Big Papi and now it's Crisp. Let's hope that Josh Beckett is next. With the Sox working at building a winner for today as well as tomorrow, the fans of Red Sox Nation should be smiling as they look to the future.

Red Sox-Blue Jays (April 11, 12 & 13, 2006)

Memo to all residents of the Fenway and Kenmore neighborhoods: Enjoy the quiet tonight, it ends tomorrow afternoon. At 2:05 p.m. on Tuesday, Josh Beckett will take the mound on Opening Day at Fenway Park. Beckett (1-0, 1.29) was the prize offseason acquisition for the Sox and the Fenway Faithful are waiting in anticipation for his Boston debut. He will be opposed by Josh Towers (0-1, 7.71) of the Toronto Blue Jays. NESN and WEEI will have the game and if you can't find a seat in the park, come by and visit the Baseball Tavern at its' new location at 1270 Boylston Street to watch the game in high definition on one of the many plasma flat-screen televisions. On Wednesday, David Wells will make his 2006 debut against lefty Gustavo Chacin (1-0, 4.05). Wells was roughed up in his rehab start in Pawtucket so it will bear watching how he responds. Catch the game on NESN or WEEI. In the series finale on Thursday, Matt Clement (1-0, 5.14) faces Ted Lilly (0-0, 11.57). Lilly has been tough on the Red Sox over the past two years but with the lineup featuring so many new faces, past results don't mean as much as one would think -- it certainly didn't work out that way for Baltimore's Rodrigo Lopez on Sunday.

Sox Notes

The keys to the 5-1 start by the Red Sox? Great pitching performances and solid at-bats. The pitching has come as advertised through six games. Curt Schilling is battling on every pitch like it is Game 7 in the Bronx except that it is still April on the calendar. Josh Beckett overwhelmed the Rangers in his first start. Tim Wakefield bounced back from a rough first outing to baffle the Orioles in start number two. Forget that Matt Clement struggled a bit towards the end of his first start; he sat an awful lot during that game because the Sox offense was torturing the Baltimore pitching staff -- he was very impressive early in the game. As for the bullpen -- Jonathan Papelbon is the new darling of Boston and both Mike Timlin and Keith Foulke have both come back from shaky first appearances to be effective in the set-up role. The offense is rolling along too. The Sox are getting on-base -- nine players have an on-base percentage of .385 or higher -- and those runners are scoring. Through six games the Red Sox have scored 33 runs, an average of 5.5 runs per game. With a 10-game homestand at hitter-friendly Fenway Park starting tomorrow, those run totals should continue to rise. In other Sox news... Bad news for those of you expecting to see new centerfielder Coco Crisp tomorrow. Crisp fractured a knuckle in a stolen base attempt on Saturday and has been placed in a splint. He will be in the splint for at least 10 days. Surgery is not expected. In Crisp's place, Adam Stern will most likely see the bulk of the time in center. Now for some good news. David Ortiz and the Red Sox officially announced his 4-year contract extension this afternoon. It runs through 2010 and their is an option for 2011. Big Papi stated that he wanted to retire with the Sox and this new deal -- rumored to be worth $50-million -- could take him to his 36th birthday. It is nice to know Ortiz will spend at least the next five years at Fenway.

Red Sox-Orioles (April 7, 8 & 9, 2006)

The Red Sox invade Camden Yards tonight to start a three game set with the Baltimore Orioles. Matt Clement gets the start for Boston. Hard throwing Daniel Cabrera will get the nod for the O's. NESN and WEEI will have the game, starting at 7:05 p.m. Clement is trying to bounce back from a poor finish to 2005. He was an All-Star a year ago but in the second half, Clement fell apart. His success will be vital to the Red Sox season. On Saturday, Curt Schilling (1-0, 2.57) takes on lefty Bruce Chen. Chen was with the Red Sox in 2003 and has started to blossom in Baltimore. It is a 4:35 p.m. start and will be covered by both NESN and WEEI. Tim Wakefield (0-1, 17.18) will try to bounce back from a terrible first start in the series finale against Rodrigo Lopez (1-0, 6.43). Lopez has given the Red Sox fits in the past. The Sox should be able to steal at least 2-of-3 from the O's, especially if Clement can get the win tonight. The Sox have the advantage on Saturday with Schilling but Sunday is in doubt with the Sox-killer Lopez on the hill. If you are looking for a spot to watch the game, check out the new Baseball Tavern. The Tavern, long a Fenway tradition at its' old location of 1306 Boylston Street, has moved down a few spots to 1290 Boylston. The new place has three floors and a roof deck plus numerous plasma HDTV televisions to watch the game.

Pats Schedule Released; Belichick Dips Into Free Agent Pool

The National Football League released their 2006 schedule today. Here is how things will break down for the New England Patriots. Week 1: September 10 vs. Buffalo Bills (1:00 p.m.) - CBS Week 2: September 17 @ New York Jets (4:15 p.m.) - CBS Week 3: September 24 vs. Denver Broncos (8:15 p.m.) - NBC Week 4: October 1 @ Cincinnati Bengals (4:15 p.m.) - CBS Week 5: October 8 vs. Miami Dolphins (1:00 p.m.) - CBS Week 6: BYE WEEK Week 7: October 22 @ Buffalo Bills (1:00 p.m.) - CBS Week 8: October 30 @ Minnesota Vikings (8:30 p.m.) - ESPN/Monday Night Football Week 9: November 5 vs. Indianapolis Colts (8:15 p.m.) - NBC Week 10: November 12 vs. New York Jets (1:00 p.m.) - CBS Week 11: November 19 @ Green Bay Packers (1:00 p.m.) - CBS Week 12: November 26 vs. Chicago Bears (1:00 p.m.) - FOX Week 13: December 3 vs. Detroit Lions (1:00 p.m.) - FOX Week 14: December 10 @ Miami Dolphins (1:00 p.m.) - CBS Week 15: December 17 vs. Houston Texans (1:00 p.m.) - CBS Week 16: December 24 @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1:00 p.m.) - CBS Week 17: December 31 @ Tennessee Titans (1:00 p.m.) - CBS It is way too ridiculous -- no matter what the Big Show does this afternoon -- to try and break down each individual game. It's April 6 and we are still more than three weeks away from the Draft. The schedule does not look to be a back-breaker however. The Pats are only on the road in back-to-back situations twice (although one of those situations will close out the regular season) and they avoid playing Miami in the heat and there are no trips to either Indianapolis or Denver (both are 2006 home games). As for the roster, two new additions were announced today on the Patriots website. Familiar face Tebucky Jones was signed to add depth to the rebuilt defensive secondary and kicker Martin Gramatica. Jones, a hard hitting strong safety, was a member of the Super Bowl XXXIV winning Patriot team. He left the organization after the 2002 season and signed with the New Orleans Saints. He was with the Dolphins in '05. Gramatica, who once went by the nickname "Automatica" while in Tampa Bay, has struggled in the past few seasons and was even out of football in 2005. If he can find his old form -- a longshot at best -- than the Belichick/Pioli team will have found another free agency gem. Time will tell for both players.

Red Sox Start -- And Close -- Strong

Place a second tally mark in the winners column for those Boston Red Sox. The 2-1 Sox outpitched the Texas Rangers last night in Arlington to earn a 2-1 win. Josh Beckett gave the fans of Red Sox Nation a glimpse of his awesome potential. The newest member of the Boston rotation pitched seven strong innings, striking out five Rangers while only allowing one run. He was handed the lead in the top of the seventh on a two-run homerun by Trot Nixon. Mike Timlin survived the eighth inning, thanks to Manny Ramirez. Ramirez fielded a one-out single and nailed cut-off man Mike Lowell; Lowell turned and tossed the ball to Jason Varitek who tagged out Mark Teixeira. In the ninth, manager Terry Francona turned to Jonathan Papelbon instead of shaky closer Keith Foulke. It took Papelbon just eleven pitches to end the night for the Rangers. After the game the Sox clubhouse seemed to be a happy place -- at least that's how it looked on NESN. Beckett pitched well, Nixon hit the clutch homerun and Papelbon was electric in recording his first career save. Even when asked why he didn't close, Foulke was diplomatic. One of the heroes from the 2004 World Series, Foulke stated the obvious -- he missed time in spring training because of lingering effects from offseason knee surgery and is currently not as strong an option as Papelbon. His skipper said basically the same. Now it is off to Baltimore to start a three-game weekend series with the Orioles before returning to Fenway for the home opener on Tuesday.

Red Sox-Rangers (April 5, 2005)

So much for my Tim Wakefield-inspired optimism. The Red Sox were handed a beating by the Rangers, 10-4, last night in Texas. Josh Beckett makes his anticipated debut tonight for the Sox. The new addition to the Boston staff will face off with Kameron Loe. The first pitch will be at 8:05 p.m. and coverage will be carried by both NESN and WEEI.

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.

1-0; AL East For The Taking

The Red Sox are undefeated and all is right with the world. Except for Keith Foulke. (Kidding.) The Red Sox defeated the Texas Rangers by a 7-3 score. Curt Schilling gets win No. 1 and Jonathan Papelbon and Keith Foulke preserved the win. Papelbon pitched a clean eighth, striking out one. Foulke came on in the ninth and allowed runners to reach second and third with one out but only one run scored (off of a Laynce Nix sacrifice fly) before the final out was recorded. Lay off Foulke and keep the "Papelbon should be closing" chatter to a minimum. This is a very good start to 2006.

Great Start To Opening Day

So far so good (through the top of the eighth inning) at the Ballpark in Arlington. Curt Schilling has given the Red Sox seven solid innings and this game is now in the hands of the bullpen as Schill has thrown 118-pitches. Schill struck out five, gave up five hits and allowed just two runs. Maybe Curt should give thanks to the offense. David Ortiz is 3-for-4 with a homerun and 3 RBI's. Every batter other than Kevin Youkilis has at least one hit and Mark Loretta (1), Jason Varitek (2) and Mike Lowell (1) have joined Big Papi in driving in runs. Lowell drove in his run with a solo homerun -- his first with the Sox. Jonathan Papelbon is now on in relief. The Sox are leading 7-2. More after the game.

Red Sox-Rangers (April 3, 2006) - Opening Day

Here is the lineup that will take on Kevin Millwood today in Texas. 1. Coco Crisp-CF 2. Mark Loretta-2B 3. David Ortiz-DH 4. Manny Ramirez-LF 5. Trot Nixon-RF 6. Jason Varitek-C 7. Mike Lowell-3B 8. Kevin Youkilis-1B 9. Alex Gonzalez-SS Curt Schilling gets the start on Opening Day. Lift a glass to the Sox today; the journey is about to begin.