Thursday Links

You’re up, Felix. Start it off right.

Rain washed away the second game of the three game series between the Red Sox and Rays on Wednesday night. As a result, the two teams will play a day/night double header on Thursday, with the first game beginning at 1:05 and the second starting at 7:05. Felix Doubront, who was originally supposed to start Wednesday’s game, will match up against Chris Archer in the night cap. While Jake Peavy will be opposed by Tampa Bay lefty Cesar Ramos for the day game.

• There was a time not too long ago, that the Rays touted a minor league system flush with pitching depth, that most MLB teams would kill for. Now, as Tampa Bay’s rotation faces adversity and their depth is being challenged, the Red Sox can take solace in the minor league arms they’ve aggregated. (Red Sox have put together pitching pipeline even Tampa Bay Rays have to envy)

• During his first month with the Red Sox, Edward Mujica certainly hasn’t pitched like a reliever that signed a multi-year deal during the offseason. But Boston shouldn’t draw any conclusions on the right hander after just one month. They did that before with Mark Melancon, and they’ve since been proven wrong. (Edward Mujica, Mark Melancon, and the need for patience)

• Since joining the rotation full time in 2012, inconsistency has been the biggest obstacle for Felix Doubront to hurdle. So far this season, it seems that the left hander still has yet to overcome that issue, but the Red Sox are hopeful that the 25 year old can figure things out. (Sox hoping Doubront will get on track like in ’13)

• The Red Sox have been playing better recently, and look like they’re close to putting their April woes behind them. Currently, the team has won 6 of their last 10, and sit 2.5 games back of first place. But is the Red Sox success a result of them finally finding their identity, or is a healthy lineup to credit? (Are these Red Sox finally starting to uncover their identity?)

• After a rough start to the season offensively, Jackie Bradley is finally starting to figure out major league pitching. In his past 8 games, the lefty bat has collected 4 doubles, and has reached base at a .355 clip. Slowly but surely, it appears as though the 23 year olds offense, may be catching up to his superb center field defense. (Jackie Bradley Jr. “gaining more confidence as each day goes on”)

• Tweet of the day: Now that would have been a sight to see…