MANNYHOF24

What makes you think that Bard can succeed as a stater? Hey I am not saying I am not curious to see what Bard can do in the rotation, but I believe closing is more important than what our 5th starter does. Basically Cook could fall flat on his ass, but if Bard sures up the bullpen, it would still be a good move IMO. (as long as Buchholz and Beckett don't suck!!--- in that case it may really be a long season).

Hey at least it only took us 3 games into the season to figure out that Aceves can't do the job. I'm having a hard time seeing how Bard isn't going to end up as the closer sooner rather than later. I think Padilla's outting was so encouraging, we just need a stopper to finish the game. It's bard. It has to be. I am willing to bet, with as good as Cook has looked in Spring and his first AAA game that he can be as good or better as Bard as a starter. This is just like 2007, we wanted Paps to be a starter, but closing games was his most helpful role to the team. Remember that season, Joel Pinero could have been our closer? Sound familiar? I'm not saying Bard is Papelbon, but he is the closet thing we have to a sure bet in the 9th.

I guarantee Ellsbury would have been plunked had he stayed up to bat.

I predict Iggy to be the short stop by May 1.

I am calling it right now that the Sox are going to get swept in this series. They don't look ready for this series at all.

Cody Ross looks completely out of sync since the sox left spring training.

Sweeny looks like a decent pick up.

Fire Valentine! Hire Francona!

McCarver and Buck hate the Red Sox so much.

Let's get 4 this inning, then 5 next inning!

Avelies has not looked very comfortable at SS so far. I thought his defense cost us a few games last September

Holy Christ McCarver looks old!

I bet Ellsbury just broke 4 ribs.

My only concern is with the way it ended last season, the fans, and media could crush this team down the toilet and make it a very negative atmosphere before they really get there bearings.

I know... but it shouldn't be like that! This offense should excel anywhere.

The return of nuke la loosh!

It is frustrating how our offense for like the last 4 seasons hasn't been able to do anything to start the season.

I would sign Oswalt immediately. It is clear to me that Beckett is not right. He has been 88-92, at no point last year did he sit that low.

Our team looks completely uninspired so far this season. It could be a very long season.

Really? The guy is a 220+ inning guy whose ERA is bellow 3.20 consistently. The guy is a horse, don't be fooled by his win-loss record, it's meaningless.

http://bostonglobe.com/sports/2012/04/03/josh-beckett-cleared-pitch/w9kXAypau8dgt6TMjApVgP/story.html Josh Beckett cleared to pitch Consultation on thumb continues as a precaution By Peter Abraham | Globe Staff April 03, 2012 Beckett went to Cleveland on Tuesday for a second opinion from Dr. Thomas Graham, but that visit was simply a precaution. Barring the unexpected, Beckett will start against the Tigers on Saturday in the Red Sox’ second game of the season. Closer Andrew Bailey also was scheduled to see Dr. Graham Tuesday. He is expected to need surgery. It is not clear how long he would be out. Beckett threw a lengthy bullpen session on Sunday and did not miss any of his starts this spring. He allowed two earned runs on seven hits over 19 innings against major league competition. “He threw 100 pitches [sunday] and felt great, hit location,’’ Valentine said. The manager added Beckett’s trip to the Texas specialist was “just for peace of mind.”

AL EAST: Red Sox AL CENTRAL: Tigers AL WEST: Angels WC1: Rangers WC2: Yankees Rangers Advance ALDS: Redsox/Angels- Red Sox ALDS: Tigers/Rangers- Tigers ALCS: Tigers/Red Sox- Tigers NL EAST: Phillies NL CENTRAL: Reds NL WEST: Giants NLWC1: Marlins NLWC2: Cards Marlins Advance NLDS: Phillies/Marlins-Phillies NLDS:Reds/Giants -Reds NLCS-Phillies/Reds-Phillies World Series- Tigers/Phillies= Phillies Win. I know picking the Red Sox is a homer pick, however I am trying to bring up my enthusiasm for the season by saying that things will break the right way. I am also not as sold on the Yankees as everyone in the national media is. The core of that team is not going to stay productive forever, and I am going to predict that this is the season where age finally catches up with them. As for the Rays, until they prove they can hit and close out games with their bullpen, they have just as many potentially fatal flaws as the Red Sox. If Beckett/Lester/Buchholz can stay healthy (already in question) the Red Sox rotation should be fine. I think Bard/Dubront will prove to be a huge upgrade to what he witnessed from August on last year. Addition by subtraction and overall health of the rotation will be the key to our season. We will score runs (expecting a big year from Crawford and Youkilis), the bullpen will be figured out eventually, we just need to get 6-7 solid innings out of the 5 on a nightly basis. I'm also expecting midseason reinforcement via a trade, or FA signing (Oswalt.) EDIT-I'll pick my winners for the playoffs too.

I'm starting to feel like there is no way our pitching staff is going to be as dreadful as last season. Based on everything I have seen in spring training, and if Carl Crawford can come back and have a CC type year, there is no way we will be worse off than last season.