Roche: Leftover Thoughts From Red Sox Opening Day
BALTIMORE, MD (CBS) - Some random thoughts on the Red Sox as they drop a 2-1 Opening Day decision to the Orioles here in Baltimore.
--Grady Sizemore is an incredible sports story. How many athletes could go through two years of injuries where you miss 2/3rds of your games and then on top of that, miss another two entire seasons due to injuries? Four seasons? Unthinkable! He looks good too; there's no limping around or even a hint or sign of any lingering effects. Pretty A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.
Related: Sizemore Provides Positive In Sox Loss
--How good do you think it felt when Sizemore singled in his first at-bat (what nerves?) with the Sox? And then to follow it up with a home run? Sizemore also said he broke his bat on the home run swing. Are you kidding me?
--Jon Lester looked like the Jon Lester we saw in last year's postseason when he went a dominating 4-1. Lester was pretty much in command over his seven innings of work as he gave up just two runs. He also got better as the game went on. His cutter was nasty too. All positive signs from Boston's ace.
Rochie Talks Opening Day on Toucher & Rich:
Dan Roche Talks Red Sox Opening Day
--I get asked all the time for my thoughts on the Lester contract extension negotiations. I think both sides want to get a deal done, but both sides maybe share different visions of the lefthander's value. If you ask me, I do shorter years, but higher AAV. Put me down for four-years, $25-million per plus a vesting option for a fifth season. Shorter deal, but a high reward for Lester. Meanwhile, Ben doesn't get handcuffed with a seven or eight-year deal and has that one pitcher to lead the young prospects as they try to succeed and mature on the big league level.
--Health has to be an early concern for the Red Sox. Shane Victorino has already hit the DL and David Ortiz is dealing with a calf strain. It's still early, but you hope it's not the beginning of a long season of health issues.
--I liked the bottom third of the Sox line-up Monday. Having Xander Bogaerts, A.J. Pierzynski, and Will Middlebrooks hitting 7-8-9 is a pretty decent trio.
Follow WBZ-TV's Dan Roche on Twitter @RochieWBZ.
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