PITCHING! Apparently pitching coach John Farrell and Daisuke Matsuzaka let the cat out of the bag over the weekend about the first two projected starters for spring training games. Josh Beckett will pitch against Boston College on February 28th, for the first game of a day-night doubleheader -- no word on who will pitch in the night game against Northeastern. Then, Daisuke Matsuzaka will start on February 29th against the Twins in their home park (Hammond Stadium).
PLAYERS! There have already been a few early bird position players report down in Fort Myers- Kevin Youkilis, Jed Lowrie and Dustin Pedroia. Mike Lowell is down in Florida (he threw out the first pitch at his former high school in Coral Gables earlier in the week), but hasn't reported at camp. Tito Francona expects all the players will report on time, except for Bobby Kielty (whose wife is having a baby, and so he may report a few days late) -- even Manny Ramirez (which we've heard before, but Tito confirms it as well):
"I have not talked to [Manny] one-on-one, but my understanding is that he's coming in on time this year," said Francona.
TELEVISION! So far, it looks like 11 of the Red Sox spring training games will be televised in one form or another. Most will be on NESN, a number on ESPN and MLB.TV, and then a couple on SNY and YES. Here is the broadcast schedule I've pieced together-- but if you forget, the sidebar calendar of events will always be there to remind you where you can watch that day's game.
- Friday, February 29 - @ Twins
7:05pm ET on NESN/MLB.TVSunday, March 2 - vs. Twins
1:05pm ET on NESN/MLB.TVThursday, March 6 - vs. Dodgers
1:05pm ET on ESPNSunday, March 9 - @ Dodgers
1:10pm ET on NESNMonday, March 10 - @ Mets
1:05pm ET on SNYTuesday, March 11 - vs. Mets
1:05pm ET on MLB.TVWednesday, March 12 - @ Twins
1:05pm ET on MLB.TVSunday, March 16 - @ Pirates
1:05pm ET on NESNMonday, March 17 - @ Yankees
1:15pm ET on NESN/YESWednesday, March 19 - vs. Blue Jays
12:05pm ET on NESN/ESPNSaturday, March 29 - @ Dodgers (in L.A.)
10:10pm ET on NESN
photo credit: Boston Glove
on February 17, 2008 11:19 PM
I felt like such a kid Saturday morning: crawled out of bed, quickly showered, poured a large cup coffee, plopped on the couch, and turned on the TV to NESN to watch the Sox. Great fun!