"First pitch didn't go as we planned"

Opening day-or Opening Day, depending on your perspective-was a bust. WHAT a disappointment. Mr. Schilling certainly did not make a strong case for an extension yesterday (I could have hit a big fly off that crawling fastball), and it appeared the Keystone Cops were running the bases. It seemed as if the Sox were just picking up where they left off last fall-a bunch of dead men walking (except, of course, when they were running into outs). No clutch hits-Alex Gonzalez could have struck out three times, Theo, and probably reached a couple of those balls, too. Our new lefty specialist was greeted rudely by having his first major-league pitch deposited over the center field wall ( "First pitch didn't go as we planned," said Francona afterwards. Jeez, I hope not, Tito). Papi striking out in the ninth inning? Ugh. Six in a row lost at Kaufmann Stadium. Kaufmann Stadium!

I know, tomorrow is another day. The good news is that the Royals, while improved, still are not the Yanks in terms of lineup (well, neither are the Sox) and Beckett can't possibly be as bad tomorrow as Schilling was yesterday. If a few bats wake up (are you listening, Coco? Julio?) getting to Odalis Perez shouldn't be a problem...right?

Just one more interesting note...during the pregame show, Jerry Remy was talking about Dustin Pedroia. I heard him say, very clearly, that he was "not impressed" with him at the end of last season and didn't see that much had changed over spring training, although he was hoping to be "pleasantly surprised." Ouch. A lot of Red Sox fans feel the same way, unfortunately, although they seem more worried about his offense than his defense, which was Remy's issue. He did get a couple of good hits yesterday, one of which was negated by a stupid baserunning play at second, but to hear Remy comethisclose to calling out the Sox for the decision to start Pedroia was a little disconcerting.

Like everything else, time will tell.

Go Josh!