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An eerie possibility?

It's only the third inning here at Tropicana Field and Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett has eight strikeouts -- a season-high.

Sure, it's still early in the game to even consider the right-hander recording 20 strikeouts, but for a goof here are some eerie similarities to Roger Clemens' 20-K performance from April 29, 1986.

On that day in 1986 the NFL draft was being held. The Celtics were playing the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA playoffs. Clemens struck out the first three batters he faced, all swinging. The Seattle Mariners had a 1-0 lead on the Sox. And, as Hartford Courant beat writer Jeff Goldberg just pointed out, the Boston Bruins were eliminated from the NHL playoffs by the Montreal Canadiens that spring.

Currently, the NFL draft is being held and the Celtics are playing the Hawks in the first round of the playoffs. Beckett struck out the first three batters he has faced today, all swinging. The Rays have a 1-0 lead. The Bruins were eliminated by the Habs last week.

Freaky? Maybe. Pushing it a little? Sure.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 2:24 PM | Permalink

Pregame Notes: Quiet morning at the Trop!

**The Red Sox are ready for their much-needed day off on Monday. The flu bug is still lingering and the players can't wait for a little R & R.

**David Ortiz will sit out again today with a bruised right knee. Manager Terry Francona said the slugger's still sore. Ortiz told Francona Saturday night that he could go if needed, but they don't want to push it.

Francona, who dealt with knee problems during his playing career, knows all too well what Ortiz is going through.

"People who have knee problems, when you bruise it it hurts more," he said.

**Francona has finally decided on his next two starters. Lefty Jon Lester will start on Tuesday and right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka will go on Wednesday. Doing it this way will give Dice-K, who has been battling the flu back in Boston, an extra day to recover.

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 11:26 AM | Permalink

Today's lineups

BOSTON

Ellsbury, lf
Pedroia, 2b
Drew, rf
Ramirez, dh
Youkilis, 1b
Crisp, cf
Varitek, c
Lowrie, 3b
Lugo, ss
Beckett, SP

TAMPA

Iwamura, 2b
Crawford, lf
Upton, cf
Pena, 1b
Longoria, 3b
Hinske, dh
Navarro, c
Gross, rf
Bartlett, ss
Shields, sp

Posted by Joe McDonald  at 11:22 AM | Permalink