5/7: Insert Manny joke here

Manny, Manny, Manny....Manny, Manny, Manny (throw in a "Paint" from Eckersly), Manny...Manny.........Manny

5/6: Mastering Pavano

Justin Masterson has pitched impressively since joining the rotation. He has a 4.32 ERA starting which would be much lower had he not grooved a grand slam pitch to Evan Longoria. Pavano threw a gem against the Tigers, so may be coming around. Until he gets hurt.

5/5: Send them to .500

Jon Lester got down to business last night, now it's Josh Beckett's turn to show the Yankees that it sucks to draw the Red Sox #1/#2 punch in a two game series. A Red Sox win pushes the Yankees to .500. I like the sound of that.

5/4: Welcome to Yankee Stadium

The rain is looking to wash tonight's much anticipated Yankee Stadium debut for the Red Sox. If it goes down, it could be a real swing game in the AL East for both teams and their starting pitchers. Is Phil Hughes for real? Can Jon Lester turn it around? Can the Red Sox continue to treat the Yankees the way the Rays have treated them so far this year?

5/3: Penny for a Split

Is this a put up or shut up start for Brad Penny? Not yet, but close.

5/2: Cy Wake

The Rays hold a career average of .298 against Wakefield (for complete list visit Baseball Reference here). But Wakefield has still managed a ton of success at Tropicana Field with a 9-3 career record and 2.86 ERA in St. Pete. The Sox need this one. They have called upon their stopper.

5/1: Welcome back offense

Matt Garza made the Red Sox bats disappear last night. Let's hope there's some pent up offense ready to explode this evening against Andy Sonnanstine. Justin Masterson looks to make it back to back impressive outings, following up on his performance Sunday night against the Yankees. I wonder if Justin drove the Mini down to Tampa?

4/30: Try us now, Tampa

Josh Beckett couldn't figure out the Yankees last start; one day late due to his five-game suspension. His velocity and movement were there, but his command was way off. It's Tampa's second look at Beckett. Garza struggled with control in his last start, but dominated the Sox in the opening series.

4/29: Let’s get back on the horse

Jon Lester hurled 114 pitches over six innings his last start, continuing his workmanlike ways. His 4.88 ERA isn't pretty, but he's pitched better than that. He'll be opposed by a guy trying to get back to his 2007 ways. Carmona has had all sorts of bad luck against the Sox ranging from blown saves to blowout losses. J.D. Drew and Kevin Youkilis are on the bench in favor of Jonathan Van Every and Jeff Bailey. Nick Green is back at short.

4/28: Lugo’s baaack

The high ERA is misleading for Penny; he's had two quality starts in three tries. He's only struck out five, which is a concern (walked eight). His velocity is not the issue, so he just needs to work on command.

Reyes was in the doghouse for the Cardinals last year for no apparent reason. He's 13-25 with a 4.90 ERA, colored by a brutal (and so far, unsustained) 2007 campaign. Last year, he posted a 2.76 ERA in 49 innings with a 1.27 WHIP. His WHIP is 1.29 so far this year.

Tonight will be cold with showers. Julio Lugo makes his season debut.