dustcover

O.K., with Price and Pomeranz presumably scheduled for the DL, which 'healthy' starters are available to make up the 5-man rotation as of Opening Day and going forward? Are we looking at: Porcello Sale Wright Rodriguez Kendrick

I'm still inclined to think that even without Papi, this team will score a lot of runs, and have way fewer close games, with more games with leads of four or more runs in the ninth inning. If this holds true, Kimbrel will get fewer 'Save' opportunities.

Does anyone have any idea as to which pitcher is scheduled to start on Saturday?

Last season Kimbrel had his career worst ERA, 3.40. But with the potency of the Sox lineup and the league leading offensive numbers, Kimbrel still appeared in 57 games, the fewest since his rookie season with the Braves. So I'm guessing that this year's team is going to score a ton of runs leaving even fewer save situations for the closer. I'm thinking maybe 48 appearances. Over/under????????

When the regular season begins, will the Sox don the traditional blue caps with the red B, or will they be wearing the red caps with blue visor that they are wearing today?

And while we're on the topic of the catching, little has been said as to how much weight Farrell might give to the pitchers' preference. For instance, if one or all the starters prefer catcher 'A' to call their games, but Farrell for his own reasons likes catcher 'B', how will this play out, short of a 'personal caddy' system? I've sensed from some of the articles out of Spring Training, that the Sox pitchers respect and like Leon's knowledge of the hitters and feel comfortable with him calling the game. Whether he hits or not, will Farrell stick with him through thick or thin to keep the pitchers happy?

In spite of Farrell's recent declaration that Leon will be the Opening Day catcher, today's lineup, with Sale pitching, might be viewed by some as a 'dress rehearsal' for Opening Day. And yet we see Vazquez catching Sale! And just for the sake of argument, which of the 3 catchers has been the most effective catching Wright's knuckler?

Not sure Hernandez has the 'arm' to play a consistent 3B. Sure would like to see the Sox find a third baseman ala 'Frank Malzone'!

Question for you moon, hypothetically, although I'm hopeful that Sandoval plays well, but if he doesn't and goes so far in the tank that a mandate is reached to shore up 3B, would you rather see Holt, Rutledge, Marrero take over the position OR Bogaerts at 3B and Marco Hernandez at SS?

I'm having a few second thoughts. If Leon gets off to a hot start similar to last year, we may see Farrell moving him up in the lineup to the 5th spot while still adhering to the lefty/rightie configuration and moving Moreland to the 7th hole, with Bradley Jr. batting 9th. I've always felt that JBJ seems to excel from the 9 spot. 1. Pedroia 2. Benintendi 3. Betts 4. Ramirez 5. Leon 6. Bogaerts 7. Moreland 8. Sandoval 9. Bradley Jr.

Looks more and more like I wasn't too far off. Farrell did however slip Swihart in as catcher last night, although having already announced that Leon will be Opening Day catcher. Reportedly, he has also confirmed that Betts will be batting 3rd. He did move Moreland up to the 5th spot in spite of my having him batting 8th, which reluctantly I'll concede the logic to this move. As Opening Day draws closer, it looks more and more like this is what we will be seeing. 1. Pedroia 2. Benintendi 3. Betts 4. Ramirez 5. Moreland 6. Bogaerts 7. Bradley Jr. 8. Sandoval 9. Swihart Hold the applause please!

3/23/17 Today’s lineup is very interesting per this conversation. Perhaps it’s a looksie at what we’ll see on opening day! 1. Pedroia 2. Benintendi 3. Betts 4. Ramirez 5. Moreland 6. Bogaerts 7. Bradley Jr. 8. Sandoval 9. Swihart

Do note however the intentional use of the word "willingly" in my original post. If Bogaerts supports the move wholeheartedly, the team might very well follow the lead of his 'team first' attitude and thus create a positive mojo and increase team chemistry, particularly if the move creates a dynamic winning environment. Just speculating!

Am I correct in assuming that you have no confidence in Sandoval, a switch-hitter, batting from the right side versus LHP's, giving precedence to Rutledge, and even Hernandez & Holt, both batting from the left side. Care to elaborate?

There's an old saying, "If at first you don't succeed, try, try again!" Acknowledging that the Sox once before tried to make Bogaerts into a third-baseman while inserting Drew at SS, and it did not work out so well for Bogaerts. If Sandoval flounders, what's the chance of Bogaerts willingly moving over to 3B opening up the SS position for Hernandez? This kid strikes me as being the real deal.

"[T]he conclusion to be drawn is that there is no practical value in seeking this ideal lineup, and in that case any way in which it might be meaningfully termed "best" is irrelevant, academic at best, pedantic at worst." The 'practical value' is that it gives me an excuse to sit here and participate in the discussion thus avoiding the need to go outside and address the long overdue yard-work that needs doing!

Well, we all pretty much agree on who the starting nine will be, which is a rarity for the Sox to not have some uncertainty at the very least at one position regarding the starting nine. As for the batting order, I guess will just have to shuffle the cards and deal them. But whatever the batting order, there is little doubt that it will have a just amount of potency. My patience is growing very thin waiting for Opening Day.

Anyone care to project what they see as the Opening Day batting order? My guess: 1. Pedroia RH 2. Benintendi LH 3. Betts RH 4. Ramirez RH 5. Bogaerts RH 6. Bradley LH 7. Sandoval SH 8. Moreland LH 9. Leon SH

After moving here from the Northeast in 1977, I quickly learned that to become a true Southerner required an abundant supply of duct tape, numerous cans of WD-40, and more than a couple of large ice chests to keep the beer cold. And, although I try to keep up, I'm still mildly picked on per my Boston accent and love of the Red Sox. But all is forgiven by the neighborhood reprobates because of the availability of my various-sized ice chests, with one, more often-than-not, containing plenty of free beer. And just for the record, today is a bit overcast in Pensacola, but the temperature is a mild 68. While I'm at it Spud, it's interesting that you mentioned Haffenreffer as it brought to mind a distant memory. Back in the early sixties while in college, I worked part time as a bartender at the then very exclusive Agawam Hunt Club in Rumford, RI. Membership was at that time almost exclusively old-money families from the area and definitely Anglo-Saxon oriented. One notable exception was Carl W. Haffenreffer, grandson of Rudolph Frederick Haffenreffer, a German immigrant who arrived in Boston after the Civil War and founded the Haffenreffer Brewery. The brewery closed in 1965, after having operated for nearly a century, leaving Massachusetts without a brewery for the first time in 300 years. But I remember Mr. Haffenreffer as being a very dignified gentleman who was always warm and kindly toward the staff. Thanks for the memory-stimulant.

Trust me, this 44" screen gives you a 'wall-seat' sense of being there! Hi neighbor, have a Gansett!

Pregame warmups begin an hour before game time!

I am so ready for the regular season to begin, specifically Red Sox games. Light up the grill, get out the Fenway Franks, fill the cooler with plenty of ice-cold brew, with an occasional batch of Crescent Park original recipe clam cakes . Free parking for Sox fans! http://i.imgur.com/nMzPa3O.jpg

wrong

It seems like just yesterday when the 'Curse' was finally broken. But who can name the 10 players who were opening-day starters on that history-making 2004 Red Sox team.