Las Vegas oddsmakers aren't posting a line on Josh Bard getting a roster spot like they are for Barry Bonds getting suspended for steroid use, but Bard, right now, is a solid bet to become Tim Wakefield's personal catcher.

With John Flaherty now retired and Ken Huckaby nursing a tweaked knee, Bard jumped to the head of the pack. Tomorrow against the Phillies, Bard catches Wakefield for the first time.

"Coming into this I thought if I played like I'm capable of, there was a good chance I could get the job," said Bard, the 28-year-old who came in the Coco Crisp trade with Cleveland. "I'm not saddened by Flash (Flaherty) leaving. He's a good man and he went out on his own terms. I don't think my mindset has changed at all. I feel like I'm still competing for the spot. I have a history with (manager Terry Francona, who managed both Bard and Huckaby in the 2001 Baseball World Cup).

"I know it's going to be a challenge to catch Wake and I'm excited to catch Wake. It's going to be hard. I'm probably going to look like an idiot."

Bard has put one of his three oversized catcher's mitts on the fast track to getting ready for Wakefield's knuckleball. The floppier the mitt, the better, and Bard plunged it in water to speed up the softening of the leather, and he's been using it with a pitching machine, catching as many balls as he can.

Bard has also caught Wakefield on the side.

"Up to this point it has gone well," Bard said. "I'd be foolish to say I've mastered it."