Odds and ends

OK, so here's the latest from Tropicana Field...

Jason Varitek is back in the lineup, after Kevin Cash has started every game for the last week. Varitek started last Saturday, came in late yesterday, but hadn't played other than that all week. Cash, by the way, was happy to start as many games as they needed, especially in his home town of Tampa.

Carl Crawford is ridiculously good.

Terry Francona's draft day wasn't quite like that of, say, the Patriots first-round pick, Jerod Mayo. He just sat around and waited for a phone call. No draft grades, no ESPN (though it was technically around), no Tito highlights on TV.

It looks like Red Sox killer Scott Kazmir is "probable" for Sunday's game in Boston. Looks like Al Reyes will be ready to come off the disabled list by this weekend as well.

The Red Sox reserve the right to flip-flop Daisuke Matsuzaka and Jon Lester between Tuesday and Wednesday this week because of Matsuzaka's bout with the flu. There's some flexibility with Monday's day off. They want Tim Wakefield to get the extra day of rest, though.

Mike Timlin was getting worked on in before the game, after feeling some tightness in his back last night. He warmed up twice before coming in and taking the loss.

I'm officially sick of matzoh.