Rain Forces Day/Night Wednesday Twin Dip...Daisuke Begins His Journey Back

The rains came to Boston on Tuesday and forced a postponment of the first Red Sox/Twins game. That game and the regularly scheduled one will be played today, the first beginning at 12:35 pm EDT (NESN) and the nightcap at 7:10pm EDT (NESN PLUS). The pitching matchups will remain the same (see the post below this one). Let's take two and push the current winning streak to seven.

Daisuke Matsuzaka began what will be a long journey to recovery yesterday. He threw 30 times from 60 feet and will increase that distance gradually and incrementally...75 feet to 90 feet and more. Pitching coach John Farrell said this about that...

"We'll take these first 5 or 6 days of his throwing program at a very gradual pace," pitching coach John Farrell said. "He's still in a strengthening phase, still letting that inflammation calm down. It's very much a building block approach to lengthening his distance and then ultimately getting into the bullpen."

He last threw the ball April 14th in a one inning horrible outing at Oakland. The Boston coaching staff wants to make sure his shoulder strength returns to normal before sending him to the mound again in a game. John Smoltz will throw a bullpen session today in Ft. Myers and if all goes well will pitch in a minor league game this coming Saturday. The Red Sox starting rotation will only get better and better when both guys are activated. That's a scary thought for the other American League teams. Rocco Baldelli is suffering from a strained left hamstring and was placed on the fifteen day DL. Jeff Bailey will likely be called up from Pawtucket. Heal fast, Rocco. We need you.

That's it for this morning...enjoy the two games. The weather will be "iffy" becuase there is another batch of rain that will work its way north and should arrive in Boston by mid to late afternoon. It's too early to determine how this will affect either of the games, but game one should be OK. Bring an umbrella or rain gear if you're lucky enough to be holding tickets to the magic gates of Fenway Park. You can click on this post's title for more on everything Sox and as always, BE WELL. See ya soon.