Red Sox Set for Opening Day and the 2011 Season

With great anticipation, the Boston Red Sox will open the 2011 season this afternoon at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington against the 2010 American League Champion Texas Rangers.

With great anticipation, the Boston Red Sox will open the 2011 season this afternoon at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington against the 2010 American League Champion Texas Rangers.  The revamped Sox, who last season missed the playoffs for only the second time under manager Terry Francona, have the baseball world abuzz as they are considered the pre-season favorite by many, including ESPN, Sports Illustrated, CBS Sportsline, FOX Sports, and The Hardball Times, to win the World Series this fall.

The Opening Day lineup includes two of the newest Red Sox players, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and left fielder Carl Crawford, as well as several familiar faces, including second baseman Dustin Pedroia, third baseman Kevin Youkilis, center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, and designated hitter David Ortiz.  On the mound will be Jon Lester, who is another pre-season media favorite as the 2011 Cy Young Award winner.

Here is the complete Opening Day roster for Boston (asterisk denotes Opening Day starters):

Starting Pitchers: Lester*, John Lackey, Clay Buchholz, Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka

Relief Pitchers: Matt Albers, Daniel Bard, Bobby Jenks, Jonathan Papelbon, Dennys Reyes, Tim Wakefield, Dan Wheeler

Catchers: Jarrod Saltalamacchia*, Jason Varitek

Infielders: Gonzalez*, Jed Lowrie, Pedroia*, Marco Scutaro*, Youkilis*

Outfielders: Mike Cameron*, Crawford*, J.D. Drew, Ellsbury*, Darnell McDonald

Designated Hitter: Ortiz*

Jimmy Fund Council of Greater Boston Presents New Stars for Young Stars VI

Get up close and personal with the Boston Red Sox. The Jimmy Fund Council of Greater Boston presents New Stars for Young Stars VI on 15 January 2011 from 11:00 A.M. until 1:30 P.M. at Jillian’s Boston. Participating players include Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Robert Coello, Ryan Kalish, Darnell McDonald, Dan Wheeler, Tim Federowicz, Jason Rice, Will Middlebrooks, Jeremy Hazelbaker, Ryan Lavarnway, and this year’s special guest, former Red Sox player Bill Mueller (this list of players is subject to change). Tickets are on sale at www.jimmyfund.org/new-stars and cost $99 and $250.

Get up close and personal with the Boston Red Sox.  The Jimmy Fund Council of Greater Boston presents New Stars for Young Stars VI on 15 January 2011 from 11:00 A.M. until 1:30 P.M. at Jillian’s Boston.  Participating players include Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Robert Coello, Ryan Kalish, Darnell McDonald, Dan Wheeler, Tim Federowicz, Jason Rice, Will Middlebrooks, Jeremy Hazelbaker, Ryan Lavarnway, and this year’s special guest, former Red Sox player Bill Mueller (this list of players is subject to change). Tickets are on sale at www.jimmyfund.org/new-stars and cost $99 and $250.