Red Sox lineup: Ells cf, Pedroia 2b, Sweeney rf, Gomes lf, Nava 1b, Middlebrooks 3b, Lavarnway c, Overbay 1b, Iglesias SS,

Pitching: RHP Ryan Dempster followed by LHP Chris Hernandez, RHP Alex Wilson, RHP Anthony Carter.

Stephen Drew has a mild concussion and maybe out 1-2 days. He was scratched today after experiencing some concussion symptoms from being hit in the helmet by a pitch yesterday.

NPR did a long piece yesterday on Mike Piazza and his book.  He mentioned the concussion from Roger Clemens, which he said was intentional, and I believe him. 

Ryan Dempster threw a total of three balls in three innings vs the Yankees. Dempster threw three balls to Twins leadoff hitter Aaron Hicks.

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I know he just flew out to right but Iglesias looks much better at the plate.  He looks comfortable taking a few pitches, and he's obviously put on some muscle.

In response to ctredsoxfanhugh's comment:

Ive been also very impressed with Christian Vasquez behind the plate. Defensively, IMO, he looks better than lavarnway.

In response to southpaw777's comment:

 Lava is not our future catcher.... future DH? sure. future 1Bman? maybe. idk why we are wasting our time... but then again, it's not like it takes a long time to learn how to man first base.

In response to southpaw777's comment:

I agree, and from what I have heard and read, I don't think any scout would disagree with you either......speak of the devil nice double.

 

In response to southpaw777's comment:

+1 Good Arm, Threw The Runner Out In Prime Time, And He Just Hit A Double, Looks Sharp....

In response to mef429's comment:

I think Lavas bat will have to carry him, his defense is weak so he will likely be a C/1B/DH  kinda guy.  Im much less confident today he is with the sox long term,  but if starts mashing it this year that could change.

 

But I really like Vasquez.  I would le to see a platoon of him and Swihart in a few years.

 

Dumpster was pounded.

In response to softlaw2's comment:

Wow!  Great baseball analysis!  Pounded???

YOU are a JOKE!  Your teenybopper analysis is lacking at best!

Actually, Dempster showed good stuff, but it did start getting away from him.....

YOU are a JOKE!  & clearly not a RED SOX fan!

All you do is seek to pad your wanting credentials????  YOU spend 24/7 trying desperately, like a teenage girl, to validate your "predictions," about each player, thus your pathetic short sighted "analysis" about said player.

Weak!

Desperate!  Like a 13 yr. old girl, who has been dumped by the BMOC... 

Little girls with very little to say of substance.......

STIFFY!

STIFF:   "  I will say anything about a Red Sox player to prove the point that I am right about said player being a shhhhmuck.  I don't care about the RED SOX, only becoming said, BMOC."

I have ZERO clue that I will NEVER be considered the BMOC by anybody with half a brain!  I honestly am the biggest narcissist on the earth, and think if I say things often enough, folks will finally believe my horse______.  OK....  I'm pathetic, but my delusions are all I really have. 

In response to redsoxdirtdog's comment:

Why waste your time with him. He's not worth the time or effort.

Christian Vazquez said his best pop time ever is 1.79 seconds. It was 1.82 on his caught-stealing last night.           

Christian Vazquez has worked with Yadier and Jose Molina during his offseasons. Does he have a better arm than both? "I think so."

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Last night Dempster threw 66 pitches (43 strikes) in his 3 2/3 innings.

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In response to maxbialystock's comment:

All three other major sports would've suspended him for that.

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It's official: Mariano Rivera announces he will retire after the 2013 season.

The entire Yankees team is in attendance for Rivera's press conference.

Mariano Rivera: "It's been a wonderful and great journey."

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