Tuesday Links

Photo by Kelly O’Connor of sittingstill.smugmug.com

Opening Day has come and gone. The defending world champs opened the 2014 season at Camden Yards against the Baltimore Orioles. Despite losing the first 0f 162 by a final of 2-1, there was plenty of positives to take away. Jon Lester tossed 7 innings of 6 hit, 2 run baseball, striking out 8 and walking just 1. Grady Sizemore collected 2 hits including a wind assisted homer and Xander Bogaerts and Mike Napoli each collected doubles.

• Fans hoping to see both Grady Sizemore and Jackie Bradley both make the Opening day roster got their wish on Monday. The Red Sox placed right fielder Shane Victorino on the 15-day disabled list and recalled the 23 year old to Boston. (Shane Victorino on the 15-day DL)

• At any other point of the season going 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position is inexcusable. But since Monday was just the first game of the season, it was good to see the offense somewhat gelling at an early stage. (The takeaway: The pros and cons of leaving runners on base)

• Monday’s game ended with a bit of drama and controversy. Jackie Bradley batted with tying run on second and saw 4 pitches before being wrung up on a high strike call. But just as the strike call proved to be right, so to did John Farrell’s decision to stick with Bradley. (The pitch that struck out Jackie Bradley was a strike, but sticking with him was the right choice)

• Despite both sides mutual interest in getting an extension done, we learned over the weekend that the Red Sox and Jon Lester have “tabled” contract talks. But wouldn’t Boston be better off getting a deal done now and eliminate the risk of Lester leaving in free agency? (Tabling Jon Lester extension is troubling)

• For most players, being honored at the White House represents a once in a life time chance to meet the President of the United States. But Craig Breslow has been there and done that. (Red Sox excited for Tuesday trip to the White House)

• Even Xander Bogaerts himself thought he got all of his second inning smash to the warning track. But it probably would have been asking too much of the baseball Gods to have both Grady Sizemore and Xander homer in the same game. (Bogaerts blown a bit off course)

• Getting tickets to a game is as hard as it is expensive, but the process is made even more difficult when your favorite team is the defending World Series champions. (Fenway Park, the most expensive ticket in baseball at $52.32)

• Tweet of the day: Can you picture Heyman flying by you on the highway?