Sox at O's

[Sea Dog 23]

Whitlock gave up a dinger in the 1st.  Contreras with another round-tripper today, solo, and Dalbek followed with an RBI single, all in the 3rd.  2-1.

Justin Slaten (Rule 5) gets out of a scoreless 6th after a single and hit batter.  He will have to make the team, or sent packing back to Rangers.

[Sea Dog 23]

O's get a walk-off blast and win 4-3.

[Sea Dog 23]

For any of you guys looking at future Sox stars(?), in Sunday's game Sox will start Roman Anthony in CF.  Also Kyle Teel is today's roster, and could be a pinch hitter.  Giolito gets the start, and probably an early hook for his health down the road.

Edit - The above lineup is playing at Jet Blue today.  Sox split squad is playing at Braves park.

[Sea Dog 23]

The Sox have won a few games, but a couple of the pitchers are getting into the 'designated' area pretty quick.  Should make Breslow's parting of ways easier.  Some good plate appearances from the young ones, Yorke, Meidroth, and a couple of the catchers. 

It's way early to get a good look at the pitchers, who will have to carry a sizeable load this year with the lack of big bats.

[Sea Dog 23]

The Sox under Bloom and Brez seem to do the reverse engineering approcah to pitchers.  Bloom used the Rule 5 to get Whitlock from the Yanks.  Yet Bloom gave up on Noah Song, picked up by Philly, but Philly gave him back.  Breslow opted for Justin Slaten from the Rangers.  Today Slaten had his second good outing, throwing 95 and 96 fastballs, 5 swings and misses, 2 Ks, no hits. 

Song got to pitch the 9th (his first appearance), but ran into trouble.  Got two outs before he was pulled, after a single, WP, three walks, walked in the tieing run.

[Sea Dog 23]

Tough news for a player in one of the bigger trades of the year.  Vaughn Grissom has been shut down with a "groin strain" and is doubtful for opening day.  He has not played this spring as he was already nursing a hamstring injury from a workout at a camp in Texas.

Cora said that Valdez will the next man up at 2B. Yorke would seem to be another option, and has played 2B this spring as well. Casas has been missing games with the flu, but he's listed as starting against Nats today.

[Sea Dog 23]

The Rangers exposed Justin Slaten in the Rule 5.   Big guy at 6-4.  He has had a few impressive stints in relief this Spring.  From the looks of it Breslow might have to put him on the roster of 26 this year.  Whitlock was a good Rule 5 guy, interestingly Slaten relieved Whitlock today.   Throwing in the high 90s and showing an impressive curve.

[Sea Dog 23]

Probable opening day lineup is up at Jet Blue today.  Casas, Valdez, Story, Devers in the INF, Duran LF, Raphaela CF, O'Neill RF, and Wong.  Yoshida is the DH.   (a writer at Fangraphs says that Boston has projected Raphaela to make the 26 man roster, and Wilyer Abreu won't make it.  Abreu has a 46% K rate this spring .)

Brayan Bello gets the start.