Roche: With Positive Vibe, Red Sox Ready To Kick Off 2013
BOSTON (CBS) - Don't know if it means anything at all, but there's a very positive vibe around the Red Sox clubhouse as they get set to Open up their 2013 season.
And, fresh off of a disastrous 2012 69-win season, there better be.
Here are some quick pre-game observations from the Bronx:
-- Today is a big start for Jon Lester. After changing his mechanics at the All-Star break last year, Lester feels he's on the right path back from a 9-14 season. Also, working with John Farrell, Juan Nieves and David Ross seems to have put him in a great spot to have a comeback season. He's also had some success in the new Yankee Stadium with six wins in 11 starts.- No other visiting pitcher has more than 4).
Read: Red Sox Opening Day Lineup
-- I talked with Clay Buchholz this morning. He's looking forward to his first start on Wednesday and wanted to stress that the Sox starting staff is a lot more than just Lester and himself. Clay feels Dempster, Doubront and Lackey can have big seasons too.
-- John Farrell has a confident swagger about him. Will be interesting to see how this group feeds off that.
--The Jackie Bradley Jr. story is a great one, but don't discount another official rookie: Jose Iglesias. The slick-fielding shortstop added eight pounds of muscle in the off-season and is driving the ball much better than he ever has (using his legs). He has a big chance with Stephen Drew on the shelf due to a concussion.
--Meanwhile, per the Sox PR department: Boston has three Opening Day starters 24 or younger in Bradley Jr. (22), Iglesias (23) and Will Middlebrooks (24) for just the second time in last 25 seasons. The other time was 2008 when it was Ellsbury, Pedroia, and Brandon Moss.
Read: 2013 Red Sox Predictions
--Shane Victorino is non-stop energy.
-- Enjoy the opener. It's hard not to love the fact that baseball is back!
Follow WBZ-TV's Dan Roche on Twitter @RochieWBZ.
