Chillin' on the "B" side: Sox vs. Twins

At 1pm today the Sox play the twins in a "B" game which simply means that no major league umpires will be calling the game. Still, it holds a good deal of importance as both Alfredo Aceves and Daniel Bard will be throwing for the first time to opposing hitters.

Aceves and Bard will be battling all spring to see who will fill out the rotation. With Aceves' versatility last year you would have to think that the Sox would rather keep him flexible but Bard still has to prove he can do the job. Starting is nothing new for Daniel Bard as he and teammate Andrew Miller were the top guys in the UNC rotation during their collegiate careers. Culminating in the two teammates and friends starting the Cape league All Star game opposite each other with both of them reportedly lighting up the radar guns for triple digits.



The Sox will be trotting out a line up of prospects including the future shortstop Jose Iglesias. Rumors are that Iglesias couldn't hit me if I stepped on to the mound but apparently he makes Omar Vizquel wish he never picked up a glove - so, we'll see.

As much as Spring Training stats don't matter for the veterans this is a time for many prospects and guys just trying to make a roster to prove themselves, but I think we'd all be kidding ourselves if we expected Jason Repko to take over in CF if he goes 3-4 today with a couple dingers.

Baseball is back people! And not only does that mean a new season of yours and my favorite show "Baseball Wives", but it means that redemption for last season starts today.

Let's go Sox.

*Here is the Red Sox starting lineup. I'm predicting a huge day for Josh Kroeger who I've never heard of but absolutely has to be closely related to the lead singer of Nickleback.

1. Jose Iglesias, SS
2. Che-Hsuan Lin, RF
3. Ryan Lavarnway, C
4. Josh Kroeger, DH
5. Will Middlebrooks, 3B
6. Lars Anderson, 1B
7. Jason Repko, CF
8. Oscar Tejada, 2B
9. Alex Hassan, LF
SP -- Alfredo Aceves, RHP