Opening Day: Take 2

Let's hope that the second go 'round has a better outcome than the first.

4/1: Daisuke Matsuzaka v. Joe Blanton

The last time Daisuke pitched against Joe Blanton and the As his command was crap. He was, presumably, unable to get the pitch to go where he wanted it to go. He pitched five innings and gave up five walks, allowed two runs, gave up a home run, and struck out only six. His lack of command has been commonly attributed to nerves. It's not really a good thing if he lets a situation get to him like that but, at least, it shouldn't prove to be a problem again any time soon.

Papelbon didn't pitch well in Japan. In his one inning he gave up one walk and three hits, he allowed one run, and only struck out one. I will say, in his defense, that in the photos from Tokyo he looked like he was about to collapse from exhaustion. But he hasn't pitched well since they came back either. Still I refuse to worry about him, yet.

Offensively, Manny was the only one able to do any damage against Blanton. He knocked in a total of four runs. Moss also contributed two runs but he's now safely ensconced in Pawtucket.

4/2: Lester v. Harden

Lester's outing in Tokyo was a typical game for him. He's never had particularly good command. As he settles down, though, and gets deeper into a game-the fewer pitches he needs to get his three outs. But until he learns to refine his command, Jon Lester is not going to win a pitcher's duel.

That's not to say that he can't win. He can-if he has the offense to back him up. Unfortunately, on the day of his last start, the offense decided that getting up at four in the morning to play a baseball game was silly. Harden gave up three hits but the only run he allowed was the home run by Manny. Hopefully, they'll all decide to play on Wednesday.

Since getting back from Japan the As have been engaged in a three game series with the Giants. Who, by most accounts, are not going to be a spectacular team this year. They lost the first of the three but won the last two.