It is finally here, the day Red Sox fans have been awaiting since Carl Crawford’s final swing last season. It is opening day, at least for the majority of baseball fans. Unless you consider last week in Japan or the single game last night to be opening day. No opening day is the day of your favorite teams first game. At one o’clock Sox fans can once and for all put last seasons awful season behind us. The Sox are fortunate enough to have the chance to face-off against the reigning AL Cy Young winner in Justin Verlander. The Tigers are looking to build off their surprise playoff appearance last season with another strong season. The offseason addition of Prince Fielder will create a very powerful duo with Miguel Cabrera.
This series has more meaning than just the impact on their record. The Sox have something to prove early this season. Anytime a team has a change a both the GM and manager position, the media are just waiting to criticize them if they get a slow start. I think every Sox fan remembers how last season began. Waiting until the seventh game to watch them grab their first win and then waiting another six for the next. The Sox are already battling injuries and they can’t afford to start in a hole. To get a win to start the season would be a huge confidence boost and would take a lot of pressure of the backs of Valentine and Cherington.
Yesterday, the Sox answered a big question in the bullpen. With Andrew Bailey being placed on the 60-Day DL many wondered who would be their for the Sox in the ninth inning. With Papelbon in Philadelphia and Bard getting his chance as a starter it was down to Mark Melancon and Red Sox savior Alfredo Aceves. Cherington and Valentine came out and announced that if the Sox have a save oppurtunity tomorrow it will be Aceves will the ball on the mound and not Melancon. However, they also said that Melancon will be the guy when Aceves can’t go which makes me believe that he will be given the set-up man role. Also you have to imagine that Aceves will be on a rather short leash.
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