4/7 Online Seats Game Thread: Sox Set to Rebound Against Yanks

A night after the Yankees battled back to even up the opening series of the 2010 season, John Lackey looks to make his debut with the Boston Red Sox a memorable one.

David Ortiz: To Pinch Hit or Not To Pinch Hit?

After Sunday's win - on a day after a thrilling come from behind opening night, a day on which Josh Beckett signed a contract which gives the Red Sox baseball's best rotation through 2014, and a day during which we were all recovering from Neil Diamond jumping the shark - all anyone on WEEI could talk about was David Ortiz. As I sit down to write this column, Ortiz has just popped out to center with Kevin Youkilis on second base, in the eighth inning of a 5-4, Yankee-led ballgame. It's the second game of the season, and the second time Ortiz has come up against a lefty in a key situation. With Mike Lowell on the bench, it's worth exploring the question of whether to pinch hit for Ortiz or to let him settle in and see what happens.

4/6 Online Seats Game Thread: Boston Red Sox Look to Keep the Yankees Down

After an opening night for the ages, the Boston Red Sox under the wing of Jon Lester, will aim to clip the Yankees' wings even further, sending the World Champions to an 0-2 start.

Lee gets Razzed

Although I got some credit I should say it was Lee who did all the heavy lifting on this one. Head over to RazzBall and check out the five questions answered by Lee on the 2010 Boston Red Sox. It's a bit fantasy oriented, but a good bunch of questions. It's already received 197 comments, so jumping in now might be dangerous, but always fun with the RazzBall crowd.

Beckett’s opening day and new contract

I'm never one to jump on single game data, but I'm also never one to pass up a chance to play with Pitch F/x and also test the announcers claims. Sunday and Monday have been full of chatter on Beckett and that it was only one game, but also that his stuff was not under control. Then add in a contract extension the next day and you have the perfect chance for me to pull out my November contract extension commentary. I'll save that for the end though and lets jump right into the data. Here is his pitch chart from last night thanks to BrooksBaseball

Fireside Chats Side Session #1: Red Sox Opening Day Win

Looking for a five minute recap of the previous night's game or just can't get enough of listening to me chatter away? A few times a week during the 2010 season, tune into Fire Brand to get your fix with the Firedide Chats Side Sessions. From interviews with bloggers to game recaps and more, Side Sessions will be just enough content to hold you over for the weekly show with Paul and I. Don't worry though, my Side Sessions aren't marathons like Dice-K's.

Best- and worst-case scenarios for the Red Sox

Best-case scenario: The Red Sox figure to have a powerhouse rotation, airtight defense and an offense that, despite its alleged warts, should rank in the upper echelon of the majors. Baseball Prospectus projects Boston to win the AL East with 95 wins. It’s easy to see that happening. For everything to break right, players must perform up to expectations, which is a lot to demand of a roster of 25. Fortunately, the Sox have players who not only have produced in the past and expect to continue to produce, but also have the right mindset to succeed in Boston.

Worst-case scenario: As an aging team banking on several returns to prominence by players (Adrian Beltre, David Ortiz) as well as sustained production from players on the wrong side of 30 (John Lackey, Victor Martinez), it’s easy to see things going wrong. Beltre could be finished as a productive hitter. Lackey has a recent history of injury problems. It’s not a stretch of the imagination to see a scenario where injuries and attrition just can't overcome what is otherwise a truly talented club, setting up another 2006. Boston has a good stable of depth, but if one key player goes down, the cracks will show.

Herb Brooks and Neil Diamond Stop By, Sox Take Season Opener

On a night when the Boston marketing department pulled out all the stops, the players on the field managed to match them every step of the way. There was no shortage of excitement in this one. From Neil Diamond's 8th inning appearance to Pedroia's two-run bomb, this game had everything and more. Even Herb Brooks and Pedro showed up which, early on, seemed to be the only exciting parts of the game. I, myself, was forced down the street to Buffalo Wild Wings before the game due to a blackout on MLBTV - missing the NESN broadcast - and jotting down game notes on a napkin. Though I try to avoid chain restaurants when watching the Red Sox, it was nice to see the Red Sox Faithful well-represented in Colorado - and just as intolerant as in New England of the crap Yankee fans will try to pull. Nonetheless, it was a classic, back-and-forth matchup that had plenty of surprises, late heroics, and everything you could want in an Opening Day salvo. Though cruising through the bottom half of the first inning, Beckett got roughed up early. Noticeably absent was his usual dominating stuff - which should have been an easy holdover from his strong spring. Having difficulty finding the plate and falling behind in the count often, he found himself "Yanked" after just 4.1 IP, walking three while striking out only one. Yielding five earned over his inefficient 94 pitches, the silver lining is that he wasn't hit as hard as the overall line suggests. Other than two second inning home runs, many of the Yankees' hits found holes or were just out of the reach of defenders - especially up the middle in the fourth...

4/4 Online Seats Game Thread: Red Sox Ready For Yanks

The Yankees have had their moment in the sun. Now, Josh Beckett and the revamped Red Sox look to cut off the Yankees at the knees on opening night.

And the Season Begins…

And the season begins… There’s no doubt the bureaucrats “got it right” on this one – pairing the league’s biggest rivals in the 2010 MLB opener. All signs point to a classic, fit with a marquee pitching matchup, palpable hatred on both sides, and the two best teams from the past decade kicking off the new one. Josh Beckett takes the hill against C.C. Sabathia as the two AL East juggernaughts begin their annual battle for divisional supremacy. Get to your TV at 8:00 pm sharp – or 6 pm if you’re like me in the Mountain Time Zone – and prepare to watch baseball at its finest. Keys of the Game Starting Pitcher Coming off a strong spring, striking out 22 in 19.1 innings while walking just 5, Beckett certainly has the edge over Sabathia, who has looked sluggish in 18.2 IP thus far (15 K, 8 BB). Though spring stats are rarely an indication of long-term success, they are a good indicator of a hurler’s readiness at the season’s onset. If C.C. continues to struggle with his command, he could be in for a long night. Expect Beckett to be sharp as the team gets off to an early lead in the first few innings.