Ok Dice-K Is Gone, What Now?

As DP reported yesterday Rice-K is gone, so the question is what happens now. Well, the Sox are going to have to hope that Lackey can comeback and be solid. He doesn't have to be great, but solid (ERA under 5 and win 50%), because otherwise the Sox will be filling two spots instead of one.

As for taking Dice-K's spot, for now if will be Wake/Aceves. They can hold on to it for awhile, but I don't see either as a long term solutions for the rest of the season. The guy that is interesting is Felix Doubront. He is finally healthy again and he has a 1.59 ERA and .172 batting average against in five starts for the PawSox.

The only problem I see for Doubront is if Hill is out for the season and the Sox don't find a guy to get lefties out. Dourbount did that pretty well last year against lefties (.189 BA), so they might need him to fill that role. I would rather they find someone else, and see what this kid can do starting, but we will have to wait and see, because the other option other then the 3 I have mentioned it Milwood and none of us feel like dealing with his 82 MPH fastball.

Opening Day: Yankees @ Red Sox Preview

I wish it was just the opening day to the regular season after having to watch the Red Sox fail in epic fashion, but the fact remains the Sox are 0-6, and there is a good chance they will be 0-7 after today.

We heard all spring about how Lackey looked like a different guy, he was slimmed down, and seemed to have "refound" some of his game. It didn't always produce results, but scouts seemed pretty optimistic to start the season. Then Lackey came out in his first game and let up 9 runs, which led to his grotesque 22.09 ERA. That being said, I guess I can hold out a little hope as Lester got smashed in his first outing only to turn around and throw a gem. But that is Jon Lester, and that was the Cleveland Indians, this is John Lackey, and this is the New York Yankees.

The Yankees are 4-2 on the season, and although they have some worries of their own, one thing they aren't having a problem with is scoring runs. The Yankees have scored 4 runs or more in every game this season, when you compare that to the Red Sox who have who have scored 4 runs just once since the season 3 times, you can see Boston has some offense troubles.

The good news is that Hughes is on the mound for the Yankees and he has to be one of their biggest concerns for this season. His velocity has all but disappeared, and he looked terrible in his first start (I smell a trip to the DL soon). So, if Boston was going to score some runs this could be the guy to do it against. Then again if Josh Tomlin and Mitch Talbot can shut you down I guess anyone can.

The one thing I can stay is that Boston is due, they are too good to be this bad. Maybe they go out and smash the Yankees today, but with Lackey on the hill that night not be enough. Still, I just can't pick the Yankees and then sleep at night...

Red Sox win 9-8
Player of the Game: Adrian Gonzalez
Game starts at 2:05pm


***NOTES***

Just wanted to point out two quick notes for the Red Sox. The Red Sox designated Dennys Reyes (good because if I ever see that fat toad again I might puke), and Matt Albers on the DL. They have called up Alfredo Aceves (should've made the team instead of Wakefield anyways), and Felix Doubront who I trust more then any lefty bullpen guy the Sox have.