Daisuke Matuszaka needed only 75 pitches to get through five innings on Monday, in his first spring start for the Red Sox. Boston fans hope that is a sign of things to come.

When Dice-K is not so efficient and nibbles around the strike zone, it not only places a burden on the bullpen, it is dull viewing.

Matsuzaka allowed 2 hits and 1 earned run. And before we celebrate his command too much, he did walk 3.

The Red Sox lost to the Braves when Sea Dogs reliever Bryce Cox gave up the winning run in the 10th on two hits.

In a minor league game Monday, Tim Wakefield got bashed around (5 earned run on 5 hits, including 3 home runs).

As Boston's rotation depends, Wakefield's performance this season will come under more scrutiny. If he is under .500 and his ERA is closer to 6 than 4, can the Red Sox keep justifying his presence in the rotation?

Of course, just when it seems Wakefield is being written off, he comes back with a string of outstanding outings.

Buchholz, by the way, makes a start today. The Red Sox will not likely make any decisions on him, until Brad Penny throws again.

Baseball America's latest edition ranks every major league organization's minor league system. Boston is ranked No. 13, a drop from last year's No. 2 spot.

Boston dropped because it "graduated" several top prospects to the majors last year - Jacoby Ellsbury, Justin Masterson, Jed Lowrie and Buchholz.

The publication listed shortstop as its position with the most depth (Argenis Diaz, Yamaico Navarro, Oscar Tejada and Derrik Gibson).

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