San Fran @ Sox GM1

Zito (6-6) vs. Tavarez (3-4)
Fenway Park 7EST


Barry Bonds makes his first trip ever to Fenway Park, and Barry Zito makes his first start against the Sox since he swapped sides of the Bay as San Francisco plays in Boston for the first time in history.


But the Boston players have a lot more on their minds than how Bonds, who is just eight home runs shy of tying Hank Aaron's all-time mark of 755, is received in his inaugural trip to one of the most hostile enemy territories in all of sports.


Such as how they are going to deal with facing a real All-Star-caliber, not to mention Cy Young-winning, pitcher like Zito, since the team has had enough trouble scoring off has-beens and never-will-bes in the last couple of weeks.


Although Zito doesn't own a stellar career record against Boston, posting a 5-5 mark with a 4.78 ERA in 13 starts while with Oakland, and he hasn't gotten off to the start the team would have hoped after shelling out the largest contract ever signed by a pitcher (7-years, $126 million) in the offseason to lure him across the Bay, he is still a quality, dangerous big league starter.


And he'll always have that big-time yakker.


Once again Julian Tavarez will face another team's ace, and so far Julie has faired pretty well going up against the likes of Halladay, Santana and Mussina. As usual, you never know what you're gonna get with him, so the Sox hitters are going to have to break out of their run drought if they plan on getting a win tonight.


Oh, and old friend and Red Sox playoff legend Dave Roberts makes his return to Fenway for the first time since his steal against the Stanks in Game 4 of the '04 LCS turned the tide of the series and eventually led to the trophy coming to Beantown.


Needless to say the reception from the Faithful will be just as warm and heartfelt as that bestowed upon another longtime BoSox fave in his first trip back here, Trot Nixon.


Should be plenty of excitement in the air, especially as Bonds makes his way to the plate for his first at bat.


Something tells me the ovation for Roberts will be a little bit warmer than the one Bonds receives.


Go Sox!
score some bleepin' runs!