Superb Lester fans 10 as Red Sox top Phils

redsox.com:  CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester fine-tuned things Monday against the Phillies at Bright House Field. He allowed just two hits over seven scoreless innings and struck out 10 in the Red Sox's 6-0 victory. Lester is 2-1 with a 3.50 ERA this spring. Lester's scoreless start Jon Lester strikes out 10 in seven scoreless innings against the Pedroia's solo homer Ross' two-run shot Papi's RBI single Travel packages Dustin Pedroia hit a solo home run to right field in the first inning against Phillies right-hander Joe Blanton to hand the Red Sox a 1-0 lead. Jarrod Saltalamacchia singled, Ryan Sweeney singled and Jose Iglesias reached on an error to allow another run to score in the second to make it 2-0. David Ortiz singled home a run in the fifth to make it 3-0. Later in the fifth, Cody Ross belted a two-run homer to make it 5-0

Jaspers thoughts:  "I think that Jon Lester needs to play this well in the season in order for the Sox to get a strong team together

Lester picked to start season opener for Red Sox

BOSTON (AP)—Boston pitcher Jon Lester has been picked to start opening day for the Red Sox on April 5 in Detroit.

New Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine made the announcement Monday.

The 28-year-old also started Boston’s first game of the 2011 season in Texas. He will be the first left-hander to start on opening day in back-to-back years for the Red Sox since Mel Parnell started three straight openers from 1952-54.

Jasper's thoughts:  "FINALLY.  Bobby V. has taken forever with this decision!"

Chase Utley hopes to play next week

CLEARWATER, Fla. AP -- Chase Utley is so private about his injuries that players on other teams ask reporters for updates on the five-time All-Star. Good luck with that. Utley still hasn't played in a game for the Philadelphia Phillies this spring because of a chronic knee condition that forced him to miss the first 46 games last year. He's not participating in team fielding drills or taking grounders during batting practice, but is hitting. Utley, however, may be getting closer to seeing action, though he wouldn't use those words. "I'd like to play in a game next week," Utley said Saturday.

Jasper's thoughts:   "The Phillies have a couple of injuries right now, and I think that they shouldn't play anybody in a game too early."