Jon Lester's first pitch of Wednesday's game hit the dirt. Not a good sign of things to come for the young left-hander.

Lester lasted only four innings - throwing 83 pitches (only 47 for strikes) in the Red Sox 5-1 loss to the A's.

Obviously when Boston scores only one run, Lester was not the only problem. But Lester's command was his biggest question mark, entering this season. And Wednesday showed no signs of him finding the answer.

Lester allowed four runs on five hits and three walks.

With concerns over the command of Lester - as well as that of Daisuke Matsuzaka and Clay Buchholz - the Red Sox will need a deep bullpen.

Speaking of that bullpen, David Aardsma and Manny Delcarmen looked strong ... And is Julian Tavarez the forgotten reliever (much as he was last year when he was left off the post-season roster)?

Notice the Red Sox alum in the A's bullpen - Keith Foulke, Alan Embree and Lenny DiNardo?

While some people jumped the gun and thought Brandon Moss should stay in the majors after Tuesday's clutch performance, others will just as quickly dismiss him after his three-strikeout outing on Wednesday. Give the kid time, and plenty of AB's (which he will get in Pawtucket).

Just how bad is J.D. Drew's back? And what will the flight back to the U.S. do for it?

If Drew is out any length of time, Bobby Kielty gets back on the major league roster.

Look for pitchers to go inside often against David Ortiz. What's their choice? Ortiz will adjust.

Can Terry Francona keep alternating Jacoby Ellsbury and Coco Crisp in center? I doubt it. Eventually someone will get the starting nod, and Crisp will not be happy about it.

The two upcoming exhibition games will be of interest, especially with Bartolo Colon pitching. He apparently looked good in a Class A spring training game last week.

More roster decisions are coming, both at the major and minor league level. May have a Sea Dogs roster by the weekend.

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