Rotoworld: Oregon RB LaMichael James and Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon among top 10 players who are being overhyped for the 2012 draft.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
The Detroit Red Wings equaled an NHL record with their 20th straight win at home, beating the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 Sunday night on the strength of Johan Franzen's tiebreaking goal early in the third period.
PBT: Boston's Rajon Rondo continues to be named in trade talks, which is madness. The Celtics guard creates offense and makes everyone around him better, which was evident in Sunday's win over the Bulls.
Arc's five up, five down: After No. 11 Michigan State's 58-48 upset of No. 3 Ohio State, you'd be a fool to discount the Spartans' national title chances now.
Miami coach Al Golden says the worst is behind him, but his headaches figure to continue now that former booster Nevin Shapiro, now in jail, says his involvement with the Hurricanes program will result in stiff penalties.
Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods greeted their Sunday pairing at Pebble Beach with optimism. But the day would end happily only for one.
The United States completed a 5-0 rout of Switzerland in the Davis Cup on Sunday, with 19-year-old Ryan Harrison and John Isner winning closing singles matches.
Zambia has won the African Cup of Nations, beating pre-tournament favorite Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in a dramatic final at Stade de l'Amitie.
Tessa Worley of France fought off gusting winds to win a second consecutive World Cup giant slalom Sunday in the Andorran Pyrenees. Overall leader Lindsey Vonn was more than a second behind and finished eighth.
Robins: It’s the Year of the Dragon on the Lunar calendar, and this Chinese influence could extend to it also being the year of the Pekingese on the green carpet at the 136th Westminster Dog Show on Tuesday.
AP
TAMPA, Fla. - Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka will start Boston’s regular-season opener against the Oakland Athletics in Tokyo on March 25.
“I think that will be a ton of excitement,” Red Sox manager Terry Francona said before Monday’s exhibition game against the New York Yankees. “I know he’s honored.”
Jon Lester will pitch the second of the two-game series with the A’s in Japan on March 26.
Clay Buchholz and Tim Wakefield will be on the hill for exhibition games in Japan prior to the regular-season contests. Buchholz will start against the Hanshin Tigers on Saturday, and Wakefield against the Yomiuri Giants on Sunday. Buchholz allowed two hits over four scoreless innings in a Triple-A game Monday.
Matsuzaka was scheduled to return to camp Monday after missing the previous two days following the birth of his son Saturday.
“Those four guys have pretty much known that for probably a week,” Francona said. “Again, just because of Dice-K’s situation. I don’t want to say it was in limbo because Dice-K was prepared to pitch. There’s just proper ways to do things. He went home, and things kind of broke anyway. He was all set to go.”
The Red Sox opted not to move up Wakefield.
“If you just go on deserving, and wins, losses, (Wakefield is) the guy that goes in there,” Francona said. “I think we kind of fought the urge just because when he’s not in our rotation we’re not as good a team. We want him to make his 30 starts.”
Right-hander Josh Beckett, who will not travel to Japan because of a back injury, threw from 120 feet Monday.
“Another good day,” Francona said. “So probably he’s going to come along fairly quickly.”
Beckett could pitch in minor league games in Florida. It’s not known when he will make his first regular-season start.
“It’s all according to how he feels,” Francona said. “To do anything differently would be silly on my part. He’s going to go as fast as he can, we know that.”
In minor league games Monday, Coco Crisp (groin) went 1-for-5 and Bobby Kielty (right calf) went 1-for-4. The two outfielders will play in minor league games again Tuesday.
Boston optioned right-handers Craig Hansen and Lincoln Holdzkom, catcher George Kottaras, and first baseman-outfielder Chris Carter to Triple-A Pawtucket.
SportsTalk: Albert Pujols signs with the Angels and Prince Fielder joins the Tigers. Which team is better now?
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Zambia has won the African Cup of Nations, beating pre-tournament favorite Ivory Coast 8-7 on penalties in a dramatic final at Stade de l'Amitie.
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The Red Wings have finally started to embrace a record they've been chasing.