FourZeroSix

Getting ever closer to game time... in that NESN shot, Camden looked especially beautiful tonight. Hopefully we won't get snow flurries or any of that s*** that is being reported.

I'd rather see them all. Pedro and Nomar should eventually have their numbers retired. Won't happen if they don't stay on the team longer.

I keep having to tell myself that this isn't a playoff game... I guess I'm just overly anxious and excited but I keep thinking this is a really BIG GAME...

I picked Pedro as well.

Me too... very weird feeling in my stomach as the minutes countdown to Opening Day. Last year is going to be nothing in comparison to 2004.

I don't believe they made a serious attempt to re-sign anybody this Spring. They are waiting to see how each does: Derek Lowe - If last year's ERA was a blip, and if he can return more to 2002 form. Boras client. Pedro Martinez - See how healthy and effective he is without a blazing heater. Jason Varitek - Boras client. Nomar Garciappara - Health, issues with management. David Ortiz - Fluke or not?

Hopefully the weather isn't TOO bad..

Maybe switch Pedro's innings from 7 to 6, but I'd really love to see 7 innings of 1 ER ball from him...and hope he can continue making quality starts all season without bumps in the road. If he makes his starts, he'll get to 200 innings without a problem and definitely not having to go 9 all too often. Quality starts, quality starts.

I can't see sticking a guy that makes 5 million dollars in the bullpen for relief work. Kim should start... but the bottom line comes down to winning games, and if he's underperforming when he returns, by all means, put in Arroyo.

Wins for pitchers don't matter at all. It's a glam stat. The Sox won't have to put up awesome numbers night after night. It will rest more on what the Bullpen does with their leads than anything else. It will actually be easier on our offense... they won't need to produce as many runs with Pete, Schill and DLowe in there because more often than not, they can shut the opposition down.

Red Sox 4, Orioles 2 WP - Martinez (1-0) LP - Ponson (0-1) SV - Williamson (1) HR: Ortiz (1) P. Martinez: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K S. Ponson: 7.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 7 K How's that? I don't see Foulke pitching tonight in the weather that is expected and with the way he's been struggling. Timlin in the 8th, Williamson in the 9th tonight.

People are underestimating our rotation and how huge of a deal Schilling will be. Pedro, Schilling and Lowe could all win 20 easy. In fact, they all did it 2002. Why not again with our lineup and a bolstered bullpen?

True. On the Strikeouts: The Sox may just be able to give the Cubs a run for their money as far as Team Strikeouts are concerned with Prior out for a month. They are already at a disadvantage pitching in the AL, but with the way Schilling can mow them down, who knows?

I'd like Francona to take Pedro out of games based on performance, not pitch count. Some nights he'll be laboring at around 85 and will need to be taken out.. others he'll be around 115 but his stuff is so good that he can get through it (used to be able to do this all the time in his prime).

Pedro did what would be impossible for basically anyone else to accomplish - He made us not necessarily forget, but move on without Roger. Looking at what Pedro has been able to accomplish in his 6 seasons he could arguably the best pitcher the Red Sox have ever had. That would make for an interesting debate in another thread. I'll tell you though.. I've looked at the numbers and what he's done in 6, compared to Rocket's 13 is staggering.

First Sox game at Fenway was in April of 1991. Rocket pitched a 3-hit shutout against the Tribe. Like Benny, I was pretty much in awe of the Monster.. I'd seen it on TV, but nothing like it being right in front of you.

Pedro.

ESPN Classic is showing the best (and worst for us) playoff games tomorrow starting early in the morning. I believe among them are NLDS Game 5 between Cubs/Braves, Sox/A's Game 5, Sox/Yanks Game 3, Cubs/Marlins Game 6 and the only one I probably won't click onto: Sox/Yanks Game 7.

At least the Yanks dropped the Opener.

That "Opening Day" was a joke. Everyone in the USA is going to be watching the Sox/Orioles on ESPN for the real OPENING DAY.

I'm just happy to hear about what he says about Trot and Pedro. If it coming from Theo.. and this was posted on SoSH, I'd say it's legit. Although I agree with you about the defense being a "strength".

Theo was talking on WEEI, and he has some encouraging news. Previously posted on SoSH.. Trot is ahead of schedule and feeling great. The program they have him on in Miami will not only fix this recent injury, it will also help to prevent him from re-injuring his back in the future. He will begin baseball activities in 10-14 days, if not sooner. Mueller's arm is back to 100%. He's made some good throws so far today. Nomar has begun to respond to treatment. He will continue to rest. Pedro feels strong and is great, and Theo saw Pedro throw on the side a couple of days ago and he had the best fastball he's had all spring. Theo said he's not worried about Pedro or his health one bit. BH Kim is throwing the ball better than he ever has a Red Sox. His velocity is better than it's ever been. He threw with Pedro the other day, and it was the first time he'd pitched in 3 weeks. Other starting pitchers look great...Wakefield, Lowe, and Schilling all look great. The players are tired of Spring Training...they were ready for the season to start about 10 days ago. Crespo has been the biggest suprise of Spring Training. He's running and throwing better than he has in the past, and it looks like he's played his way onto the big club. Mendoza has a lot to prove this year, and he will be given the opportunity to be the long man. His sinker has looked good so far. Last year was a mystery. Bellhorn, Crespo, and Reese will all make the team. (As he was saying this, Bellhorn just almost jacked one...would have been a HR in Baltimore, according to Theo). 11 pitchers will be carried on the roster...decision made easier by having Schilling and Lowe on the roster, who can both go deep into games. Talking about improved defense now...thinks defense has gone from a weakness to a strength. Not worried about Foulke's struggles this far...he isn't in midseason form yet. As long as Foulke's fastballs look good, Foulke will be effective. Foulke is healthy but his mechanics haven't been perfect thus far. Working on getting his arm slot correct. Giving props to the scouting director...Theo is really happy with last year's draft. (Foulke just gave up a HR to Marcus Giles, Braves lead 1-0...Foulke had been ahead 0-2, but Giles worked the count to 3-2). Theo saying Foulke's velocity is ok, but the mechanics aren't perfect which is messing up his location. (Chipper Jones just got a hit). (Foulke done for the day now...he gave up 2 hits...he was on a strict pitch count) Lenny Dinardo pitching now. Theo says he's a command, control pitcher. Has a fastball with lots of late movement. He's been a starter his whole career, but the Sox see him as a long-relief pitcher. Sox are impressed with Dinardo's makeup, and they think he is going to be in the Sox's plans this year. (Andrew Jones just hit a double off of him...2-0 Braves...both ERs charged to Foulke). Talking about Baltimore offense now...Tejada is swinging the bat great right now. Sox know the AL East race is more than just two teams. Theo thinks AL East is the toughest/best division in baseball. McCarty has had a great spring...it sounds like he's made the team. Daubauch as swung the bat well this spring, but had bad luck.

How the hell do they have time for that? lol

About time... it's funny how anxious we are for ST to start, and how anxious we are for it to end.

I really don't like the idea of having a rather rusty Pedro at this point, out there pitching in that environment. Hopefully Ponson will be worse.