Paul Byrd makes his first start for the 2009 Red Sox today

As if we haven't had enough of convicted steroid users, Paul Byrd will make his first start of 2009 this afternoon for the Boston Red Sox. As we all know this didn't fair too well for our other first time starters of 2009. We had old man Smoltz put on a Red Sox uniform and try to do his best impression of Curt Schilling, FAILED. We had Junichi Tazawa throw on the Red Sox uniform and do his best to put the Red Sox on his back and carry them into October, well he's in the GCL right now, FAILED. We had Michael Bowden come up for a guest appearance in the bullpen, well one inning and six runs later(something like that), FAILED.



So What makes the Red Sox think Paul Byrd is going to go out there and dominate the Jays like his counterpart has been dominating the league for 6 months? I have no idea. I don't believe they even remotely believe Byrd will make it through the third. My prediction is Byrd will give up 6 runs and won't make it through the third.



Here's what to expect from Paul Byrd (other than my 6 ER in 3 innings):



Byrd in his journeyman career is 2-2 against Toronto with a 4.86 Era over 33 innings.

At Fenway Park Byrd has an ERA of 6.29 in 24 innings.

Byrd has been known for a tough first inning so if Byrd gets through the first with no troubles we can probably expect a decent outing. If not... we might be seeing Nick Green tonight.

Yesterday I went 4-1. This brings my record to 30-16 (.652)

My picks for today...
There is no way the Boston Red Sox beat the Toronto Blue Jays
There is no way the Chicago White Sox beat the New York Yankees
There is no way the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Detroit Tigers
There is no way the Oakland Athletics beat the L.A. Angels