Rotation Madness

Yesterday was a big day in deciphering which arms take the hill to start games during the season's first few weeks, and while the Red Sox certainly aren't giving any official notice of when Josh Beckett will return, four very strong minor league innings make it seem certain that he'll hit the hill earlier rather than later.


Here's Beckett's final line: 47 pitches, one hit, no BB and 6 Ks. That looks a lot like vintage Beckett, even if it's coming against true minor leaguers. He'll have one more tuneup before the Sox face a real decision about whether or not to bring him aboard, potentially for a start in Toronto, where Boston heads immediately after resuming the Oakland quartet of games.

The news was similarly rosy in L.A., even though Boston dropped an exhibition. That's because Bartolo Colon was on the hill, looking better than he has at any other time this spring. The Big Diuretic - WMYM is still fishing for nicknames here, so if you think that's the jackpot feel free to chime in - went four innings and allowed one run, though the way he worked out of a jam immediately following that run was impressive enough to quell any fears over allowing back-to-back two-baggers in the first place. Here's his final line: 4 innings, 60 pitches (36 strikes),  4 Ks with 0 BB. That's definitely the type of strikeout-to-walk ratio you want from a power pitcher. Even more impressive, while he was flexing impressive control, Colon's velocity reportedly hit 92 mph, though some were skeptical of the readings and felt some of his offerings might have been even higher.

Colon's schedule going forward will be interesting, as the team followed his start yesterday with an announcement that he'll also pitch Pawtucket's AAA opener on Thursday. That would put him on pace for a potential start in a major league game as soon as Fenway's opening on April 8th, though that game seems more likely suited for a Jon Lester start ... for better or worse. Needless to say, it'll be interesting to see what the Sox do at that point, whether they shoot Clay Buchholz or the Big Diuretic out there for a start in one of the Detroit games.

Some other interesting tidbits from the past day worth noting:

- Some terrific insights from Gordon Edes about the ongoing battle for the final bullpen spot between incumbent loogy (lefty specialist) and Tito Francona favorite Javier Lopez and righthanders Bryan Corey - already a Sox contributor in the past after being brought over from Texas - and David Aardsma, who has been extremely impressive in his spring outings. As Edes notes, two of the three have to go when Beckett and Mike Timlin return from the DL, and the chance of re-signing them after they pass through waivers seems unlikely, as bullpen men with upside don't exactly go through without someone taking a flier on them.

- Eric Wilbur touches on just how odd tonight's exhibition against the Dodgers at the Coliseum could get. Here's a hint: That left field screen could play like a trampoline

- Another take on the world of bizarre L.A. Coliseum exploits, thanks to Red Sox Monster.

- Blogs by Fans sister Beantown West offers insight from the first Dodger Stadium exhibition, as well as a way to scroll down and get another take on the two opening offerings out in Japan.

Now, time to go get ready for a chance to watch some of the weirdest fielding out in left field in baseball history. For once, that's not just because Manny Ramirez is parked out there, either.

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