The Sea Dogs and Boston Red Sox will hold a press conference today. The expected subject of the conference is an extension of their affiliation beyond the 2008 season.

Affiliation agreements can be for two or four years, so a new agreement would guarantee the Red Sox affiliation until 2010 or 2012.

No doubt, the timing of the announcement comes after the City of Portland and the Sea Dogs came to terms on a new lease, with the Sea Dogs planning to build a new clubhouse after this season.

An extension of the afiliation is obviously good news for Portland and Sea Dogs fans, and not such good news for other areas (the announcement of the press conference warranted a story in today's Manchester (N.H.) Union Leader).

And speaking of the Red Sox, I believe a previous blog about the Rangers poor pitching staff said something like "it should be time to tee off at Fenway." Three games and seven total runs later, I'm still waiting.

Kason Gabbard goes to the mound tonight for Boston. His confidence may be bruised a little. A few early runs by the home team could help.

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