There’s a pretty big game tonight. It’s Opening Day and the Red Sox and Yankees will battle on NESN/ESPN2 at 8:05 p.m. in the opening salvo of the 2010 rivalry.
But keep an eye on the Triple-A team, as there are plenty of people starting things off in Pawtucket that will be important to the Sox’s title hopes down the road…
Torey Lovullo didn’t need an inordinate amount of time to drink Boston’s “kool-aid” after he was named the Pawtucket Red Sox manager.
That’s noteworthy considering he played on four Triple-A championship teams.
“Everybody loves to win,” understated Lovullo. “Because we go out there on a daily basis, it’s part of our DNA. We want to go out there and win baseball games. But as the manager of (Pawtucket), I will never, ever sacrifice player development for a win.
“Granted, they go hand in hand. But I feel like developing winning players at this level is going to help guys go to the next level and expect to win ball games.
“Certainly,” continued Lovullo, “we want to win but not at all costs. My job is to get these guys playing at a level where they can help Boston.”
Good point, considering Pawtucket’s roster should include legit prospects like Dustin Richardson, Michael Bowden, Aaron Bates and Josh Reddick to open the season.
And more than likely he’ll get to manage players like first baseman Lars Anderson and pitcher Felix Doubront who’ll open at Portland but will be given every opportunity to reach the next level.
Unfortunately, Lovullo won’t get to use one of the best pitching prospects in all of minor league baseball –- Junichi Tazawa, who tore a ligament in his right elbow and will be lost for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Lovullo also could trot out Daisuke Matsuzaka to the mound –- albeit on a temporary basis.
Matsuzaka was sidelined in spring training with stiffness in his neck after recovering from a back injury. In fact, he didn’t pitch in an exhibition game for Boston until March 25.
According to pitching coach John Farrell, he may not toil for Boston until he’s able to throw 95 pitches.
“Everything went well,” Boston director of player development Mike Hazen said after Matsuzaka’s first start, against Florida. “A rehab assignment hasn’t been established because it’s way too premature.”
Perhaps.
What isn’t premature is the status of pitchers Bowden and Richardson.
Bowden has had “nibbles” with Boston each of the past two seasons. And even though his stats last year with Boston (1-1, 9.56 ERA in eight appearances) were dismal, the organization hasn’t soured on his chances of being a “significant contributor.”
“I don’t think this year is more important than any other year,” said Hazen. “We’re counting on Mike to provide depth for our starting rotation and bullpen.
“He’s one of our top pitchers. With a full year of Triple-A under his belt, he must continue to log innings in the minors in anticipation of when he’s going to make it with the big club.”
Other pitchers who could figure in the mix for Pawtucket’s rotation include Adam Mills and lefty Fabio Castro.
Mills, who split last season between Portland and Pawtucket, led Boston’s farm system in wins (12) and innings pitched (141).
Castro, 25, a free-agent acquisition, was 7-6 with a 4.49 ERA in 25 starts last year for Triple-A Las Vegas.
Pawtucket’s bullpen should be headed by left-hander Richardson, who also rode the Portland-to-Pawtucket-Boston shuttle last season and adapted well to pitching relief after being a starter.
For example, he fanned 80 in 63.1 innings with Portland and 16 in 10.2 innings with Pawtucket.
Other bullpen candidates include Fernando Cabrera (who led Pawtucket with 22 saves and posted a 1.78 ERA in 2009), Randor Bierd, T.J. Large, Ramon A. Ramirez and Jorge Sosa.
Mark Wagner and Dusty Brown should return as Pawtucket’s catchers.
While Wagner is solid defensively, he hit only .214 with a .351 slugging percentage in 43 Pawtucket games.
Depending on who you talk to, one gets the impression that they’re keeping the seat warm until Luis Exposito is ready to move up the ladder.
While the bulk of potential starting infielders (Kevin Frandsen, Angel Sanchez, Tug Hulett and Christian Colonel) may not register on baseball’s version of the Richter Scale, two who could are first baseman Bates and outfielder Reddick.
Bates, overall, had a good year in 2009 as he, too, traveled the Portland-Pawtucket-Boston route –- hitting .354 in five games with the Red Sox.
“He has right-handed power and is a very good defensive player,” said Hazen.
What about first baseman Kevin Youkilis seemingly blocking Bates’ path to Boston?
“Aaron’s played left field in the past,” said Hazen, “but that’s way down the road.”
What road infielder Jed Lowrie will follow was undetermined as the end of spring training neared an end since he’d been sidelined with mononucleosis.
“A time table hasn’t been set for his return,” said Hazen, although a trip to extended spring training is a distinct possibility.
Reddick was a possible candidate for a spare outfield spot in Boston until he was optioned to Pawtucket on April 2. He’s rated by some scouts as a five-tool player.