Playing nine innings while hoping we’re not already beyond the beginning of the end for Dustin Pedroia . . .
1. I’m not big on attempting to identify statement games in a baseball season in real time – especially early in the season, when so much of the story remains unwritten. The ultimate perceived in-season pivotal moment in recent Red Sox lore has to be the Red Sox’ rally to beat Mariano Rivera and the Yankees on July 24, 2004 – better known as the day when Jason Varitek introduced Alex Rodriguez to the many savory flavors of a catcher’s mitt.