Red Sox v. Tigers (April 7, 2012)

Boston Red Sox (0-1) at Detroit Tigers (1-0)

SP - Josh Beckett (0-0, 0.00) v. Doug Fister (0-0, 0.00)

1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
4. David Ortiz, DH
5. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
6. Ryan Sweeney, RF
7. Cody Ross, LF
8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia, C
9. Mike Aviles, SS

Three Strikes:

1. Jon Lester was very good on Opening Day, which is an excellent sign for the Red Sox, but watching Justin Verlander dominate for eight innings brought back memories of the days when Pedro Martinez was as close to a guaranteed thing as there is in baseball.

2. Ben Cherington needs to help out his manager and add at least one more position player to Bobby Valentine's bench.  Carrying thirteen pitchers is not necessary and having an extra body - Pedro Ciriaco would probably get the call at this time - at his disposal would benefit the team. 

3. Josh Beckett, he of the "Chicken and Beer Clubhouse," has a lot to prove after last year's collapse and he can begin that process today by leading the Red Sox to their first victory of 2012.