Here in Pawtucket, Jed Lowrie walked through the clubhouse doors, returning from his impressive stint with the Boston Red Sox.

Craig Hansen won't be joining Lowrie, however.

It was figured that Hansen would be sent back down to Pawtucket once the Red Sox activated Sean Casey from the DL today.

Instead, the Red Sox designated veteran reliever Julian Tavarez for assignment.

Red Sox 1, Toronto 0

Jon Lester (Sea Dogs Class of '05) pitched a one-hitter over eight innings.

Jonathan Papelon (also '05) got the win with a one-hit ninth. He almost gave up a run, but second baseman Dustin Pedroia (another '05) made a sensational diving catch and throw.

In the bottom of the ninth, Kevin Youkilis ('04) singled in the winning run.

Lyle Overbay broke up Jon Lester's no-hit bid with a line drive single to right (just over second baseman Dustin Pedroia's reach) in the fifth inning.

Lester has a one-hitter through seven innings (along with four walks).

Roy Halladay has allowed two hits (Kevin Youkilis, and Brandon Moss' 'swinging bunt' in the fifth inning) and no walks.

Moss came in for Drew because Drew felt tighness in his left quadriceps muscle when running out a ground out in the second inning.

Mike Lowell is back in the Red Sox lineup, batting sixth. David Ortiz is also back after missing two games.

To make room on the Boston roster for Lowell, the Red Sox again designated relief pitcher Bryan Corey for assignment.

That means former Sea Dogs outfielder Brandon Moss is still with the big club. Moss is not only the back-up first baseman, he's also the fourth outfielder tonight, with Jacoby Ellsbury nursing a sore groin muscle.

Here's tonight's lineup

Masterson walked Guerrero to start the sixth, but got Anderson to ground into a 4-6-3 double play

He struck out Hunter on three pitches and left to a standing ovation, receiving a flurry of high fives in the dugout.

Masterson threw 95 pitches, 58 for strikes. Of the 18 outs, 11 were on the ground, 3 in the air, and 4 strikeouts.

Sox up 3-1.

I'll check in with you after the game.

Justin Masterson is in line for the win, so far, with Boston leading 3-1 (RBI doubles by Coco Crisp and Kevin Cash padded the lead in the bottom of the fourth.

In the top of the fifth, Mike Napoli led off with a home run to center, on a 1-1 sinker.

Erick Aybar grounded out. Chone Figgins struck out, swinging at a slider. Gary Matthews grounded out.

Masterson threw 13 pitches/8 strikes. He's at 80 pitches. No one is warming up in the bullpen, so maybe Masterson has one more frame left in him.

So far, Justin Masterson has retired the first two Angels in the inning, and then allowed the next one on. This time, he walked Casey Kotchman. No harm again.

Both Garrett Anderson and Torii Hunter grounded out to third.

With Kotchman on first, Maicer Izturis grounded back to Masterson, who underhanded it to Youkilis.

15 pitches, 8 strikes. Total: 67/40, meaning Masterson is good for at least one more inning.

Sox still up 1-0.

Masterson is pounding the strike zone, as they say (15 pitches in the third inning, 11 for strikes). He yielded his first hit, a two-out single by Gary Matthews

Erick Aybar started the inning by flying out to shallow right.

Chad Figgins tried to bunt. Masterson raced in, on the third-base side, picked it up and threw him out.

Matthews fell behind 0-2, took two balls, and grounded a single to center.

Vlad Guerrero flied out to right with Jacoby Ellsbury charging in and making a sliding catch.

Red Sox lead 1-0 after they loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the second. Manny Ramirez scored on Coco Crisp's ground out.

Masterson's second inning was almost identical. Torii Hunter flied out to center. Casey Kotchman grounded out. Maicer Izturis walked and Mike Napoli struck out on three pitches, swinging at an outside slider.

He threw 21 pitches, 13 for strikes. Total so far: 37/21.

Kotchman crushed a change-up foul of the Pesky Pole. What did Masterson do? he came back with another change-up, which Kotchman whiffed at.

Except for a two-out walk to Vladimir Guerrero, Justin Masterson got through the first inning of his Major League debut just fine.

Masterson's sinker is working. He got Chone Figgins to ground out. He struck out Gary Matthews and, after the walk to Vlad, he got Garret Anderson to ground out.

Masterson threw 16 pitches, 8 for strikes. And, surprisingly, he has not been afraid to throw his change-up. He threw three in the first inning, and got Figging to ground out on one.

So far, so good.

Greetings from Fenway. Running a little late because I forgot the parking situation for day games (I usually take the T). Drove around and found a "deal" - only $40 (sorry boss).

Red Sox manager Terry Francona said Justin Masterson will be held to about 80 to 90 pitches today, which means about 5 or 6 innings, depending on how well he throws.

The lineup will feature right-handed bats (Crisp, Lowrie in; Drew, Casey out) against Angels lefty Joe Saunders.

Jed Lowrie is taking grounders at short as I write this. he will be starting tonight's game in place of Julio Lugo (normal day off, according to manager Terry Francona)

David Murphy, by the way is batting sixth for the Rangers (Murphy is out on the field talking to Dustin Pedroia right now, before Boston's BP).

Murphy and fellow ex-Boston player, Kason Gabbard, are expected to receive their World Series rings tonight.

On the injury front, Mike Lowell said the pain in his sprained right thumb is lessening, but Lowell has no idea when he might be ready. "As soon as I can hit, I'll have an idea. It's all based off that."

Introducing the new relief pitching prospect for the Boston Red Sox:

Jay Johnson.

Johnson, who is actually an outfielder for the Portland Sea Dogs, threw two innings of scoreless relief to get the win Wednesday night, in the Sea Dogs' 8-7 win over Connecticut - a game that lasted 17 innings.

Forgot to mention that Jonathan Papelbon will not be available tonight (no big surprise there).

Hideki Okajima, who has relieved in three straight games, is doubtful.

Matsuzaka's command had not been terrific (45 pitches, with one out in the third), so the bullpen will have to come through.

In a move that Terry Francona hinted to Saturday night, David Ortiz is not in the lineup tonight against the Yankees.

The move seemed to lighten the load on Ortiz' shoulders. He arrived in the clubhouse, laughing, joking with teammate. However, he did not want to talk to the media, referring to "my full day off."

Here are the lineups for tonight:

Teh adjectives are pouring in to describe Jonathan's Papelbon's performance Saturday night.

Terry Francona: "Phenomenal"
Jason Varitek: "Pretty amazing"
Josh Beckett: "That's what great players do"

After a two-hour delay, Papelbon retired all four batters he faced, three by strikeout.

Jonathan papelbon just finished warming up again in the bullpen. The Red Sox are taking the field.

In case you're still hoping to catch the end of the Red Sox-Yankees game, word at Fenway Park is that the latest batch of rain is expected end soon (in fact the grounds crew is preparing to lift the tarp off as I write).

The Red Sox situation is interesting. They lead 4-3 in the top of the 8th. Two out and two Yankees on base with A-Rod up. Closer Jonathan Papelbon has warmed up twice - at 6:22, and an hour later when everyone thought the game would resume.

No word yet on if he is still scheduled to pitch.

I'll check in later.

Jed Lowrie took grounders at third and short before BP, but he's not in today's lineup. "He's going to play sometime," manager Terry Francona said. "Got to figure out where and when, and when is the best time.

Here's the lineups:

Back in Norwich where the Sea Dogs-Defenders game is underway (Bubba Bell grounded out to lead off), we bring you a few words from Portland native, former Red Sox reliever and Defenders pitcher coach Bob Stanley:

When Bill Buckner took the mound for the ceremonial first pitch, the Boston Red Sox players were among the loudest to cheer. Kevin Youkilis made a point of meeting Buckner and shaking his hand.

Here is what manager Terry Francona and Youkilis said of the moment:

Bill Buckner made an emotional return to Fenway Park today to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Bill Buckner is going to throw out the first pitch in today's game.

Terry Francona chatted with the media before today's game, like he always does. Here's a sampling:

Got a few complaints that my last blog "Red Sox Trade" got people thinking it was a big trade (as in a Coco Crisp deal).

Just a minor one. Sorry if you got excited.

Here's the lineups for today's game:

BOSTON - Shortstop Christian Lara used to be considered a hot prospect. As a 19-year-old, Lara batted .433 in the Gulf Coast League. He did little after that, including a .238 average last year in hitter-friendly Lancaster.

On Tuesday morning, the Red Sox finally gave up on Lara, trading him to the LA Dodgers for right-handed reliever Eric Hull

As some of you know, I'm a native of the Tampa Bay area, so I naturally keep an eye on the Tampa Bay (no more Devil) Rays.

And the Rays are doing what a lot of struggling teams do - they look at success in the exhibition season with too much hope in their eyes.

You can't blame them.

As expected, the Boston Red Sox sent outfielder Brandon Moss to Triple-A Pawtucket after today's game.

Moss, who hit a game-tying home run in the ninth inning of Tuesday's season-opener, struck out three times Wednesday. Regardless of his performance, he was set to go back to Triple-A.

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.

Brandon Moss' go-ahead RBI in the sixth, and game-tying homer in the ninth inning of Tuesday's season-opener shows what the Red Sox farm system is about.

Every farm system has talent. The key is getting that talent to perform.

The Boston Red Sox reportedly have set their roster for Tuesday's 6 a.m. (EST) season-opener.

But the roster is far from settled.

Yankees Shine (what did you think those hyphens stood for?)

From Yankee Hater caps to foolish chants at Fenway Park, the Yankees are a favorite target of scorn.

So maybe their ownshership says some foolish things (Larry Lucchino does not always hold his tongue, either), and they spend a lot of money (something the Red Sox cannot gripe about, too much)

But put your baseball bigotry aside today and applaud the Yankees.

The Red Sox have 39 players still in big league camp (more cuts could come as early as Sunday).

Boston will bring 30 players to Japan and, eventually, will have to get down to 25 players.

When Doug Mirabelli was released Thursday, pitcher Tim Wakefield did not want to comment. Same thing on Friday.

On Saturday, Wakefield finally spoke about the release of his personal catcher.

The eagerly-awaited buundle has arrived.

Daisuke Matsuzaka's wife delivered a baby boy this morning (6 pounds, 10 ounces) at 7:30 p.m.

The boy, whose name was not released, is the couple's second child.

The birth clears the way for Matsuzaka to join the Red Sox in their trip to Japan.

Shortstop Julio Lugo will play in his first game in two weeks, today at sun-splashed City of Palms Park.

Terry Francona said that Lugo will DH in Sunday's game as the Red Sox rush to get him ready.

Bostgon beat Baltimore 7-4 Friday in a game stopped in the top of the seventh inning because of rain.

Reliever Manny Delcarmen slipped on the muddy mound in the seventh, prompting a visit from Terry Francona. Delcarmen was lifted but before Craig Breslow could throw a pitch, the umpires called for the tarp

Daisuke Matsuzaka has left after four innings work, with the Red Sox ahead 5-2 in Friday's exhibition game.

Matsuzaka showed good command (53 pitches, 37 strikes, no walks). He gave up four hits and two earned runs, while striking out two. Melvin Mora clocked a solo home run off him in the third.

Both Manny Ramirez and J.D. Drew hit their first homers this spring, in the early innings.

Jonathan Papelbon relieved Matsuzaka and pitched a 1-2-3 fifth (two strikeouts).

Following up on the last blog ... Terry Francona said he hopes Julio Lugo will be ready to play tomorrow.

"He really wanted to play today," Francona said. "We're going to keep him out one more day. Let him go through the whole day (of pregame drills and BP), except for playing and then we'll play him tomorrow, if everything is okay and he's doing well."

The lineup for today's exhibition game with the Orioles has been posted and shortstop Julio Lugo is once again out of the lineup.

Checked in with Jed Lowrie today. He said he's been told to be ready to go to Japan, until further notice.

Kevin Cash evolved as a better defensive catcher than Doug Mirabelli, which is why the Red Sox released Mirabelli, general manager Theo Epstein said.

Epstein said "this was a debate early in camp." And the argument kept leaning toward Cash.

Cash showed he can catch knuckleball pitcher Tim Wakefield, when Cash filled in for the injured Mirabelli late last season.

Brandon Moss led off the bottom of the ninth with a home run, sending the Red Sox game with Tampa Bay into an extra inning.

Moss's blast tied the game 2-2. It ended 3-3. Exhibition game rarely goa past the 10th inning.

The Rays took a 3-2 lead with a sacrifice fly in the 10th, off of Sea Dogs reliever Beau Vaughan - who was summoned to the game in case of an emergency (or an extra inning).

Boston tied it again, on Chris Carter's RBI double in the 10th. Sea Dogs outfielder Bubba Bell pinch-ran for Bell, with one out. Moss came up again and struck out. Minor league infielder Keith Ginter struck out to end the game.

More later. General manager Theo Epstein is scheduled to talk to the media about Doug Mirabelli's release.

Bartolo Colon finished his second inning today and should be done. He gave up two hits, one being a solo home run by Jon Weber.

In all, Colon threw 26 pitches, 18 for strikes. He was wild at first and then settled down.

The Red Sox made it official, announcing that they placed Doug Mirabelli on unconditional release waivers.

There's a reason why Dusty Brown is replacing Doug Mirabelli in the lineup today. The Boston Herald just reported that Mirabelli has been released and was seen leaving the park.

Now there is a competition for the No. 2 catching spot between Brown, Kevin Cash and George Kottaras.

As promised, the blogs will keep coming from Fla.

Today's lineup already has a change. Doug Mirabelli was scheduled to catch, but Dusty Brown said he just found out he's behind the plate.

Today's top story is the Red Sox debut of Bartolo Colon.

Saw 2007 Sea Dogs pitchers Beau Vaughan and Jose Vaquedano in the Red Sox locker room. They are "just in case" pitchers for today.

Greetings from the Fort. The Red Sox made a few moves this morning, while still waiting for Coco Crisp to recover from his groin injury.

I landed in the Tampa Bay area today (off to Fort Myers in the morning), but I did not attend the Yankees-Rays game. Too bad. It got exciting quickly.

Remember when the Red Sox and Rays went at it with beanballs, punches and thrown bats?

Seems the Yankees have a problem with Tampa Bay, too.

A few thoughts as I fight off the flu (sorry for the lack of recent blogs).

Now that Jonathan Papelbon got his mony ($775,000), would he be quiet about his cause to set a standard for future relievers. As I try to figure out payment for the heating bill, I don't want to hear about his noble efforts.

Everyone loves the goofball. Jonathan Papelbon is a sensational closer on the mound, and a Disney character off it.

But when he talks about his contract, Jon (as we knew him in Portland, back in 2005) needs to show restraint.

When Jon Lester or Clay Buchholz have a bad day, you shrug and say it's too early in spring training to be concerned.

But reliever Craig Hansen is another issue.

What does Hank Steinbrenner think of Boston fandom?

"Red Sox Nation? What a bunch of (expletive) ..."

The Red Sox already released their opening day lineups for spring training games. Actually, these are not even major league exhibition games, since the Sox are taking on the college kids, from Boston College and Northeastern.

Looks like everyone is playing one game or the other. The only name I had to double-check was third baseman Keith Ginter, a utility-type player signed to a minor league contract. Ginter, 31, last played in the majors in 2005 (51 games with Oakland).

Here's the Sox press release on the pitching schedules and lineups:

Sorry for the lack of blogs. Call it techincal difficulty (although many technical items are difficult for me).

Seems the Sox have signed pitcher Bartolo Colon. To that, I give a rousing "why not?" What do the Sox have to lose in signing a non-guaranteed, low-money contract with a once-great pitcher?

Is Theo Epstein the best general manager in baseball?

With the Congressional hearing over, can Roger Clemens just say goodbye now?

No more comebacks at mid-season with the attention-grabbing drama of 'will he pitch again or won't he?' (The answer is always yes, especially when some fool club offers him the money).

Don't know if I will watch the hearings today with Roger Clemens and Brian McNamee. There's shoveling to do and games to play (it being a snow day and all).

Which member of Congress will first express his/her devotion publicly to Clemens, and that they've always been a "fan."

With the news that Curt Schilling is not ready to pitch (and may not be in 2008) because of shoulder problems, where does that leave the Red Sox?

Just fine ... if Clay Buchholz comes through.

The Red Sox announced that 15 non-roster players will join the 40-man roster in spring training this year. They include a few players who will likely begin the season in Portland - pitchers Justin Masterson, Michael Bowden and Hunter Jones, and infielder Tony Granadillo.

Barring injury, the only one of the 15 with a solid chance of making the Major League team out of camp is outfielder Bobby Kielty.

Just finished my Sunday story, previewing the start of spring training. In it, I mention the lack of a back-up right fielder. To cover myself, I mentioned that the Sox could still re-sign Bobby Kielty.

Now a little re-write is in order since reports are coming in that Kielty has agreed to a minor league deal with Boston.

Kielty's signing can be viewed in a few ways.

The Red Sox announced that there will be random drawings (and limited phone sales) for tickets to Opening Day, Yankees games, Green Monster seats, and right field roof deck seats

You must register for the drawing. Deadline for Opening Day and Yankees games is Monday at noon.

Here's the Red Sox press release:

The Boston Red Sox have signed first-baseman Sean Casey, according to ESPN's Peter Gammons.

The report said that Casey, 33, signed a one-year contract for $700,000,

Casey batted .296 last year with the Tigers, with 4 home runs and 54 RBI, in 143 games (453 at-bats).

There is talk that the Mets were the most desperate of the three teams that showed interest in Johan Santana. True. But, assuming the Mets sign Santana, where does that leave the New York Yankees?

When I first heard the New York Mets became the frontrunners among the candidates wanting to trade for Johan Santana, I assumed they had included their No. 1 prospect, outfielder Fernando Martinez, in the deal.

But, no. After Tuesday's reports that the Mets have a deal with Minnesota, it appears the Twins caved in ... and Minnesota officials likely wished they had taken an original offer from the Yankees or Red Sox (unless the Twins really did not want Santana in the AL).

According to a the USA Today, the Minnesota Twins have agreed to trade Johan Santana to the New York Mets in exchange for four prospects.

The Mets still have to reach a contract extension with Santana.

According to the New York Post, the potential trade of Minnesota Twins ace Johan Santana is getting closer to reality, and that the Mets and Red Sox are the top candidates to get him.

The Boston Red Sox traded two minor league right-handed pitchers for Chicago White Sox right-handed relief pitcher David Aardsma.

Aardsma, 26, was a first-round draft pick, out of Rice in 2003, by the San Francisco Giants. He has also pitched for the Cubs and White Sox organizations. He has never pitched a full major league season.

Last year, Aardsma got off to a great start with the White Sox (2-0, 1.31, 26 strikeouts in 20 and two-thirds innings).

Clay Buchholz met the media briefly today at Boston College and declared himself stronger, emphasizing that his shoulder is fine.

Buchholz, who pitched a no-hitter for the Red Sox in early September, tired at the end of the month and was left off post-season roster because of shoulder fatigue.

The Red Sox said they hoped Buchholz will take off-season conditioning more seriously, and Buchholz said he got the message.

With Doug Mirabelli reportedly re-signing with the Red Sox, the organization now has five catchers at the major league and Triple-A level.

Who plays where?

Talked to an insightful Yankees fan the other day and posed the question:

What worries you about the Yankees?

In other words, do the Yankees have any obvious weaknesses that are a concern? I could ask the same of Red Sox fans ... so I will.

As spring training looms, what are the concerns of the Yankees and Red Sox?

The Red Sox are beginning their annual stockpiling of free agent minor league pitchers, signing two lefties, Jon Switzer and for Sea Dog Michael Tejera.

They will be invited to major league spring training camp and will likely end up in Pawtucket.

Questions:

Will the New Year bring Johan Santana?

And if Jon Lester is included in the deal for Santana, then the Red Sox still have six starters, including Clay Buchholz. But you can't go with a six-man rotation, because you want Beckett and Santana every fifth day, right?

Now what?

The anticipated Mitchell Report dug up a lot of dirt. But the probe, as George Mithcell made clear, was not complete, and a lot of it is old news on players who have retired, or are in a decade-long approach to retiring (Roger Clemens).

Commisioner Bud Selig has vowed to act. But do you depend on a man who goes to his own press conference without full knowledge of the report?

Now that Eric Gagne has finished his short and ineffective tour of duty with the Boston Red Sox - signing with Milwaukee - I keep hearing what a disasterous trade it was last summer.

Aw, how easy it is to be an expert in hindsight.

Pitching depth can come and go, depending on health, and prospects being able to fulfill potential.

As we wait for word on the Johan Santana trade, here is how the Red Sox organization looks from the mound, in Boston and on the farm:

The Boston Red Sox are apparently still in the running - some say frontrunner - in the race to trade for Minnesota Twins ace Johan Santana.

Are the Red Sox really interested, or just making sure the price is high?

Either way, somebody is going to over-pay for Santana (both in the trade and in a salary extension). It is another result of the chess match between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.

Tickets for selected Red Sox games in April and May are going on sale on Saturday, Dec. 8. There will also be four-game packages available.

Because it is the Red Sox, it is complicated. Tickets will be sold over the internet and phone, except for a few selected, regsitered fans who will be invited to a special event on Dec. 8 at Fenway. Registration for that takes place today and next Monday.

The blog is back. It has been nearly a month since the Red Sox danced about Coors Field. Seems like a good time to get back into the blogging routine.

Today's topic is another look at the Red Sox contracts. We touched on the subject right after the World Series. Now, with Curt Schilling and Mike Lowell re-signed, the Red Sox roster seems nearly set for next year, and in good shape for 2009.

The Boston Red Sox have announced their 2008 schedule, which will begin in Tokyo. Below is the Red Sox press release and the schedule (I cut and paste the schedule from a Red Sox email. It was sent in two columns. It's a little rough, but it gives you an idea.

Curt Schilling has re-signed (a surprise, but a pleasant one) and Mike Lowell appears close to re-signing (which is big because the Red Sox need him, and the Yankees likely wanted him).

A nice first couple of steps for Theo Epstein after the World Series.

The Red Sox released the following press release about re-signing Curt Schilling. (While terms were not announced, the one-year contract is believed to be worth $8-million, with another $5 or $6-million in incentives):

Curt Schilling is close to signing a one-year deal with the Boston Red Sox, espn.com's Buster Olney has reported.

According to the report, Schilling would get a base salary of $8-million, with incentives that total $5-million based on innings pitched and his weight (interesting).

If true, Schilling could make the same ($13-million) as last season.

The Boston Red Sox retained control of catcher Dusty Brown by placing him on the 40-man roster (Brown was going to become a minor league free agent).

That leaves Boston with five catchers on its 40-man roster.

At least one has to go.

In my story for Tuesday's Press Herald, I touch on the topic that the Boston Red Sox are now considered in the same light as the Yankees, both because they are a power, and because they far out-spend everyone else.

John Henry trying to light his victory cigar. The thing was huge. He needed a blowtorch.

Theo Epstein posing with his famiy, and the World Series trophy. Haven't seen Epstein smile like that all year.

Manny Delcarmen shivering in the Denver air – in his champagne-soaked T-Shirt, but relenting for interview afer interview.

Bobby Kielty wondering what he did right to go from being released by Oakland to ending up on a World Series team, and hitting the game-winning home run.

The Rockies finally got their offense going, and the Red Sox scored 10 runs. Only one change in tonight's lineup. Colorado is going with Ryan Spilborghs in center field.

Clint Hurdle cannot go by matchups. None of his Rockies have faced Jon Lester before.

Here are the lineups:

Jacoby Ellsbury going 4-for-5. Dustin Pedroia 3-for-5. How did that 1-2 punch look Saturday? How about today? How about for years to come?

Both teams are going with new lead-off hitters, as the Red Sox deal with no DH, and the Rockies try to get something going with their offense.

Colorado has benched Center fielder Willy Taveras (0-7 in the first two games) and moved Kazuo Matsui to the top spot. Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki has moved to the No. 2 spot. Cory Sullivan gets his first start in center and bats eighth.

Boston, as already announced, put Jacoby Ellsbury lead-off.

Here are the lineups:

Good morning from Denver (actually, I'm in Glendale - more on that later).

During the workout yesterday, you get the sense that this Series is not going back to Boston. The Rockies don't seem to have the pitching to hold off the Red Sox.

But there is confidence among the Rockies and their media.

Here are some of the headlines from today's Rocky Mountain News"

DENVER - Just got back from Terry Francona's press conference, where he announced the expected:

Kevin Youkilis is the odd man out in Denver. Since the Red Sox do not have a DH in the National League city, they will move David Ortiz to first base. Mike Lowell will remain at third base.

If Boston has a lead, look for Youkilis to come in later.

Looks (and feels) like it is going to be colder tonight. I hope the fleece will be enough.

For the big games at Fenway, an auxillary press box is set up in right field (where your Press Herald crew is located tonight). Rarely have to worry about wind chill in a press box (I know, no one is feeling any sympathy ... and, yes, it beats real work).

The Rockies are sticking with the same lineup. The Red Sox did some re-shuffling, with Colorado using a right-hander (Ubaldo Jimenez)

Think the Red Sox will roll over the Colorado Rockies in this World Series?

Maybe.

But expect the Colorado hitters to do better, now that Josh Beckett is off until Game 5 (if necessary).

Greetings from Fenway. There's a chill in the air. Last I heard about the rain, there might be some, but not enough to stop the game.

Terry Francona juggled the positions of his lineup slightly, to separate the left-handed bats.

Here's the lineups:

Here's another surprise from the Red Sox, who just announced their 25-man World Series roster.

With Tim Wakefield out (see previous blog), pitcher Kyle Snyder is replacing him.

Terry Francona and Tim Wakefield just announced that Wakefield would not be available for the World Series because of the continued pain in his right shoulder.

Francona said the starter for Game 4 is TBA, although Jon Lester is being considered. He pitched four innings today to stretch out.

Francona did not announce the roster for the World Series. He did say J.D. Drew would start in right field Wednesday, against lefty Jeff Francis, and that Jacoby Ellsbury will start in center.

Listening to sports radio in Boston on the way to Fenway (alternate between WEEI for the sports and WBZ for the traffic reports). Curt Schilling was going his weekly radio gig for WEEI.

He was asked indirectly about being ready to pitch Thursday, and Schilling said yes.

Not exaclty an official announcement, but it's close.

I'll report back later

The Red Sox are on a Rocky Mountain High (okay, so I had to get that line out of my system, with the Rockies coming) ... Crazy night last night, going from a close game to a rout.

Did you see all the ex Sea Dogs contributing?

Greetings from Fenway where they are wrapping up rehearsals for the pre-game show (Looks like we're in for some Irish step dancing, along with the music of the Dropkick Murphys).

Tonight's Boston batting lineup is the same as yesterday, so I'll add their post-season stats (just to give something new):

BOSTON - Can it get stranger at Fenway Park?

Cheers for J.D. Drew, and then a Curtain call.

Even cheers for Eric Gagne at the end.

The Boston Red Sox are one win away from a World Series berth and they are bringing all their positive mojo in for Game 7, starting with Kevin Millar.

Jacoby Ellsbury has replaced Coco Crisp in the lineup tonight. Trot Nixon is back in the Indians order.

Here are the lineups:

When Josh Beckettt and Kenny Lofton had words in the fifth inning Thursday night, Beckett said the incident "goes back before today."

In fact, when Lofton was with the Phillies in 2005, he drew a walk from Beckett, who was pitching for the Marlins. Lofton flipped his bat after ball four. Beckett said something to Lofton then and, like Thursday night, the benches emptied.

As expected, the only change from the normal Red Sox lineup is Bobby Kielty in right field, with J.D. Drew out (As soon as a righthander comes in for Cleveland, look for Drew to enter).

Here are the lineups:

For an off day, it sure has been busy (i.e. no time to blog, until now).

Here are a few things to expect for Game 5:

In the pre-game interview with Red Sox manager Terry Francona, the topic of starting Tim Wakefield over Josh Beckett came up.

"I can't believe somebody asked me that question," he said in mock disbelief.

Francona knows the decision to start Wakefield is causing debate. But he said the rotation was set beforfe the series and he would not change it because the Sox are down 2-1.

So Cleveland is up 2-1 on the Red Sox.

Time for Game 4, a battle of the soft-throwers: Boston knuckleball pitcher Tim Wakefield and the crafty Paul Byrd.

"This may be the slowest throwing right-handed match-up of all time in the post-season," Byrd said.

Trot Nixon is in the starting lineup tonight for the Indians. The Red Sox are using the same lineup as normal:

Here in Cleveland, where everyone seems to be wearing something connected to the Indians ... the nice man at the rental car counter wore an Indians tie as he informed two visitors that he was sorry they were wasting a trip to Cleveland to watch the Red Sox.

Ouch. Trash talking from the Enterprise guy.

As I sit here at the Manchester Airport, waiting for the cattle call known as Southwest Airlines, I am wondering about the Red Sox.

Do they have enough pitching?

The team, that has been built on strong arms all season, is looking suspect.

Here is the Boston lineup for tonight's game:

Mike Lowell called it "special," watching David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez reach base a combined 10 times in Friday's playoff game with Cleveland.

So far in the playoffs, Ortiz has a ridiculous .889 on-base percentage (16 for 18).

Here are Ortiz's comments from the post-game press conference:

The Indians are just about to wrap up batting practice. Here are tonight's lineups:

As expected, the Boston Red Sox set their roster for the American League Championship Series by adding pitcher Tim Wakefield and removing No. 3 catcher Kevin Cash.

Also, manager Terry Francona confirmed that Bobby Kielty will start in right field Friday night in place of J.D. Drew. Kielty, a switch-hitter who hits left-handers well, has a career .310 average vs. C.C. Sabathia. Drew is 0-for-3 with three strikeouts against Sabathia.

Who is going to the catalyst for the Red Sox against the Indians?

Against the Angels, Manny Ramirez emerged from his self-proclaimed struggling season to become the "bad man." ... And Curt Schilling dispelled doubts that he can still do his thing in the playoffs ... And some of the usual suspects (Josh Beckett and David Ortiz) were huge.

With the announcement of Curt Schilling as the No. 2 starter, the Red Sox have some interesting pitching scenarios, especially with an extra day off imposed by Fox TV (between Game 4 & 5).

It is possible that the Red Sox could go with a three man rotation - Beckett, Schilling and Matsuzaka - assuming that Beckett goes on three days' rest in Game 4. The pitchers would go on four days' rest in every other game, including Beckett in a possible Game 7.

Just back in from Anaheim. Landed in the Manchester airport and got the news about the Indians.

Hey gang. Got about five minutes until my shuttle takes me to John Wayne Airport. On my way home!

Just got off the phone with my sports editor. He thinks the Indians will win tonight. I countered that sometimes a sinker ball pitcher, like Wang, is more effective on short rest.

And the Yankees should tee off on Paul Byrd.