It is currently 46 degrees at Fenway (with 20 m.p.h. winds) and it is going to get colder.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona said opening day is exciting for the fans.

"I think it kind of signifies that spring is coming and winter is gone - just maybe not in the next couple of days," he said.

Francona spoke on a few subjects before the game:

On Josh Beckett: "I thought he looked better than his numbers indicated (in spring training). Some of his (statistics) were not what he was looking for. I thought he looked healthy. I thought he looked strong. The ball came out of his hand real well. I thought he prepared really well to get ready for a long season."

On Jacoby Ellsbury: "He's one our one, true stolen base threat. He's probably one of the better stolen base guys in the league."

On Kevin Youkilis: "I thought Youk did a great job in the four-hole last year. We could hit Youk anywhere we want ... (Youk) has come a long way. I remember his first spring when he wasn't really pulling the ball with authority. Good hitter. Good idea of the strike zone, but still growing. Now he's a legitimate cleanup hitter in the major leagues. That's a pretty good progression."

On Drew, Bay and Lowell batting 5-6-7: "There are probably three or four guys that are interchangeable there. I certainly don't think Mike Lowell is a (No.) 7 hitter. But coming back from the surgery, I think it's the best way to get the most out of him."

On expectations for his players: "If we're as good as we think we are, guys don't have to have standout seasons. They just need to do their job ... If guys do their job, see a lot of pitches, grind out a lot of at-bats and keep the line moving ... I do have a lot of confidence in our team. Sometimes it takes a while. I hope we get off to a great start - because that makes it easier - but I think I feel, over the long haul, we'll find out if we're as good as we think we are."

On Rocco Baldelli playing against lefty Scott Kazmir on Wednesday: "I'd like to do that. Kazmir has been real tough on us and some of our lefties. It seems like it would be a good idea to get him in there. The idea is (what position?)."

On the bullpen, with 9 straight games: "We'll be careful. We'll still keep an eye on their usage, because it's still early."

RAYS LINEUP
Akinori Iwamura, 2B
Carl Crawford, LF
Evan Longoria, 3B
Carlos Pena, 1B
Pat Burrell, DH
Matt Joyce, CF
Dioner Navarro, C
Gabe Gross, RF
Jason Bartlett, SS
(Scott Shields, P)

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