It's another one of those games where we're seeing a very Major League lineup out of the Red Sox. The biggest difference between today and opening day? Jason Varitek is starting for Jarrod Saltalamacchia. Everything else--possibly even the batting order, as much as I hate to admit it--is making it feel like April 1.
1. Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
2. Dustin Pedroia, 2B
3. Carl Crawford, LF
4. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
5. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
6. David Ortiz, DH
7. J.D. Drew, RF
8. Jason Varitek, C
9. Marco Scutaro, SS
Of course, if Jacoby keeps up his crazy spring numbers, or even comes close, then he's welcome to that leadoff spot. Of course, he won't. But even a .045 IsoD can get the job done when it's paired with a batting title level average.
The man who could really use a good day today, however, is Daisuke Matsuzaka. Fresh off his most successful start of the Spring (it's not a tough competition), he'll be looking to actually put a few decent ones together going into the season. We wouldn't mind the confidence boost, I'm sure, for ourselves or for him.
Of course, he'll have to survive the Pujols - Holliday - KindofRasmus threat in the middle of the Cardinal's lineup. But I think I'd prefer that to the job Kyle McClellan has to do today.
Go Sox!