The biggest rivalry in baseball and all of sports for that matter started up again last night with the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees playing each other in Tampa, FL. Oh, who am I kidding, it’s only spring training. But I digress.
Last night’s SPRING TRAINING game was all about the pitching staffs.
Hits were far and few between for both teams as they each had four hits for the game by eight different players. The winning run, also the only run of the game, was scored on a three-base error after a Pedro Ciriaco single allowed him to come all the way around.
Felix Doubront stated his case for a spot in the rotation as did Vicente Padilla while Michael Bowden kept his hat in the bullpen mix.
Doubront got into a little trouble in the 1st inning but settled down after that. He allowed two hits, a walk and had three strikeouts in four innings of work. Bowden followed Doubront and gave up a hit while striking out three.
Padilla responded from a bad outing his last time out to strikeout four Yankees in three innings of work. Junichi Tazawa picked up the save after striking out three of the four batters he faced. The other had a single.
It is still early to know who will be in the starting rotation after Jon Lester, Josh Beckett and Clay Buchholz. But if this group of guys along with Daniel Bard, Alfredo Aceves and Aaron Cook continue to pitch as well as they have, skipper Bobby Valentine will have some tough choices to make.
One thing that could factor into Valentine’s and Ben Cherington’s decision making is the fact that several players are out of options. As far as the pitchers go, Bowden, Doubront, Matt Albers, Andrew Miller and Franklin Morales are out of options. As far as position players, only Darnell McDonald is out of options.
What this means is that if they don’t make the Red Sox out of spring training, they will be waived giving other teams a chance to claim them and put them on their 40-man roster. If they aren’t claimed, they can accept the assignment from the Red Sox or become free agents.
The Red Sox will enjoy a break from Grapefruit League games today and will be back in action tomorrow afternoon when they host the St. Louis Cardinals at 2:35 p.m. at JetBlue Park. So for now, enjoy the overnight links from the local Boston media.
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He stays behind, yet moves ahead [Boston Globe]
Less of a diamond in the rough for GM [Boston Globe]
Clay Buchholz’ pickoff of Punto a highlight [Boston Herald]
For now, advantage New York [Boston Herald]
Felix Doubront leads way vs. Yankees [Boston Herald]
Lucchino: A ‘chance’ Iglesias will be Red Sox’ starting shortstop [CSN New England]
Doubront sharp in Red Sox’ 1-0 win over Yankees [CSN New England]
Valentine makes light of Guillen’s post-ejection comments [CSN New England]
Buchholz pitches four simulated innings [CSN New England]
Valentine on Guillen: No surprise [ESPN Boston]
Doubront, Padilla shut down Yankees [ESPN Boston]
Valentine enjoys first taste of rivalry [ESPN Boston]
Mark Melancon: The man who would have been Mo [Full Count]
Bobby Valentine really liked what he saw from Red Sox pitchers Tuesday night [Full Count]
Adrian Gonzalez Not Fond of Possibly Dabbling in Outfield, But Will Accept Role If Necessary [NESN.com]
Bobby Valentine Laughs Off Ozzie Guillen’s Expletive-Laced Comments [NESN.com]
Felix Doubront Shines Against Yankees As He Looks to Win Starting Job [NESN.com]
Padilla unlikely to get a start in immediate future [Projo Sox Blog]
Miller to return to mound Friday; Iglesias, Sweeney OK [Projo Sox Blog]
Doubront’s gem doesn’t come easily [RedSox.com]
Valentine eager to see what rivalry brings [RedSox.com]
Red Sox don’t fret over Sweeney’s soreness [RedSox.com]
Buchholz tests offspeed stuff in sim start [RedSox.com]
Podcast: Short-term solutions [Touching All The Bases]
For more slices of Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, CSN New England, ESPN Boston, NESN, Providence Journal, RedSox.com and WEEI websites.
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