It was a rough opening series for the Boston Red Sox as the Tampa Bay Rays came into Fenway Park and took 2 out of the 3 games. Obviously, Josh Beckett was the best looking starting pitcher in the three games for the Red Sox as Jon Lester and Daisuke Matsuzaka didn’t put forth their best efforts.
A good sign right now for the Red Sox is that Jason Varitek is showing signs of life from the left side of the plate as he’s hit two home runs in the 3 games. Of course, it is early in the season where he’s not as worn down as he will be later in the season. But nonetheless, it’s a much better start than he had last year.
Jed Lowrie is giving Julio Lugo every chance in the world to retake the starting shortstop spot. It’s not because of his glove though, it’s his bat as he’s struggling at the plate right now. He’s just 1-for-11 with 6 strikeouts and has left numerous men on base, three times in key situations.
The Red Sox are now on the west coast where we can expect tonight’s game and the whole weekend series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to be played with a heavy heart following the death of of Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart who tragically died in a car accident along with 2 of his friends after Wednesday night’s game.
The game tonight will also mark the debut of the “Hanging Sox” caps and the alternate blue road jersey for the Red Sox. The new road uniforms will make their debut tomorrow afternoon on national television. The “Hanging Sox” hats will be worn for every Friday Red Sox game this season.
Lowrie is flailing away so far [Boston Globe]
Daisuke Matsuzaka serves ’em up [Boston Herald]
Rays Hold Off Red Sox [Hartford Courant]
It’s Sox, not Rays, who have something to prove [Providence Journal]
Five Things We Learned: Matsuzaka Still a Man of Mystery [WEEI.com]
Rays have the edge on Matsuzaka, Sox [Boston Globe]
Jed Lowrie takes no offense [Boston Herald]
Lowrie opens with a whimper [Providence Journal]
Everyone gets in on the act for Tampa Bay [Boston Globe]
Kevin Youkilis not easing into it [Boston Herald]
Well-prepared Rays rolled the Dice [Providence Journal]
Rays set to defend [Boston Herald]
Tragedy overshadows game [Boston Globe]
Nick Adenhart gone too soon [Boston Herald]
Sox still setting things up in the bullpen [Providence Journal]
Tim Wakefield back for more [Boston Herald]
For more slices of Boston Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Hartford Courant and Providence Journal websites.
And if you must see what the enemy papers are saying you can check out the Tampa Tribune and St. Petersburg Times websites.
