Here is wondering when Charlie Zink will make his first start, and other gripping topics for followers of the Sea Dogs & Red Sox.

Zink, the knuckleball pitcher who is the Sea Dogs No. 5 starter, was scheduled to make his first start on April 9. Of course, the snow knocked that schedule out. Zink should be pitching in Binghamton this weekend, but the four-game series could be postponded because of weather. The Sea Dogs come back to Portland next week, but the weather prediction is frightening.

This looks to be the worst weather to start an Eastern League season since the Sea Dogs began in 1994.

Would it make sense to put a retractable roof on Hadlock Field?

Of course not. I can give you 100-million reasons why not. And if that price doesn't scare you, then maybe you should look into being a silent partner with the Burkes.

Encouraging signs for Boston, from the minor league mounds. Jon Lester contintues to get stronger. he has two starts left in Class A Greenville, and should begin going longer than four innings. My guess is that, from Greenville, Lester goes to Pawtucket (and we have to wonder about Abe Alvarez's future there). If Lester shows consistency, can Julian Tavarez's tenure as a starter continue much longer?

Also, Devern Hansack is dealing. Should there be trouble in the bullpen, as Terry Francona looks for that bridge from the starters to Papelbon, then Hansack has to be an option.

On Wednesday night, I bumped into the first of many scouts I'll see at Hadlock. He raved about center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, just as scouts did at the end of last season.

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