So much for the pitching and defense.

Last night marked the debut of the Red Sox new team/new philosophy. The results – the more things change, the more things stay the same.

Sure, we heard about this all year. Defense and pitching will make up for the lack of offense. Great bullpen. Perhaps the best starting pitching. Defense to stop anything.

Right. They 9 to 7 win over the dreaded Yankees proves a few things about the plan.

First, they may have great pitching, but the Red Sox don’t necessarily have to win games 3 to 2 in order to win. Beckett – he of whom wants a new contract – didn’t quite cut the mustard last night, which surely sent a scare through the entire RS Nation.

Second, defense may win ball games….but it may still take some time. There were a few misplayed balls in the game last night (e.g. Ellsbury and to some extent Cameron), as well as a great play that should have been an out to begin with by J.D. Drew barehanding the bounce near the bullpen wall. A little shaky, but not to bad.

And the boring offense. Well, as many people thought, it wasn’t so bad. Cameron (on base three times), Scudaro (two hits), and Beltre (two RBI), when all put together in this lineup aren’t so bad. Sure they will have off games, but all three are offensive minded enough to help this team….and the bottom of the lineup looks like a far cry from last year.

Overall, a great opening night filled with fireworks and surprises (literally, and figuratively).