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Despite some tough minor league starts in between, Justin Masterson had another strong outing with the Red Sox last night. Look for the Sox to get him a few more spot starts this year before September call-ups, the way they did with Buchholz last year. Not sure if they'll want to bring him up full time next year, but it should be considered.

If Masterson does get the call for next year, you could be looking at a rotation that includes homegrown younsters Lester, Buchholz and Masterson, backed up in the pen by Paplebon and Delcarmen. A year or so later, we'll be expecting highly rated pitching prospect Micheal Bowden.

Beyond the pitching staff, you've already gotten a good look at Dustin Pedroia, Jacoby Ellsbury and Jed Lowrie. Believe it or not, there's even more reason to be optimistic as the Sox minor league system is now rated one of the best. Bone up here.

In the meantime, the Yankees got A-Rod back last night, but Jeter got hit on the hand by a pitch and had to leave the game. Of course ARod did his best to help out by hitting a two-run home run...when his team was already down 10-0. I think if you take away all the home runs A-Rod has hit when there was more than a five run spread in the score he'd have about 131 career home runs. What a tool.