4/01/08 Daisuke Matsuzaka vs. Joe Blanton

In a repeat of the true season opener in Japan on Wednesday, the Sox and A's kick off the "domestic" version tonight at the McAffee Coliseum. Daisuke started off the previous game looking lost, but gained confidence (and more importantly, control) as the game went on. Blanton seemed just the opposite, throwing 5 dominant innings only to give up 3 in the sixth. Huston Street started an opening day closer implosion trend, followed by Tom Gordon, Eric Gagne, and Kerry Wood. While he did not outright lost his role as closer, he's likely on thin ice after blowing an opportunity on Wednesday.

JD Drew should be back in the lineup, no word yet on Coco vs Ellsbury in center. Bobby Kielty is likely to start 2008 in the minors, expected to be a bench option if any injuries occur.