How will Red Sox finish the offseason?

[TheKilo]

You just generally seem more optimistic about this season as opposed to the few days where every one of your posts was "3rd place"

 

They executed their plan. That's the difference.

 

Again, not getting Tex stung, but I have less reason to be cynical with the moves they have made.

[BSN07]

As of right now, it's 12 days, 18 hours, and about 18 minutes until pitchers and catchers report.

 

Is anyone else stoked?:wetodd:

 

Word!:dance:

[BoSox21]

when is truck day again?

[example1]

Reflecting on this off-season, I can't help but feel like the Sox did very well. They improved themselves by adding pitching depth (both SP and RP) and by locking-up the core of their team moving forward in Pedroia and Youkilis.

 

Ellsbury

Pedroia

Ortiz

Youkilis

Drew

Bay

Lowell

Lowrie

Varitek

 

... same basic lineup as last year, with the addition of Lowrie for a majority of the playing time (I assume). He's a good player and will be another tough out at the bottom of the order, certainly compared to most SS. Hell, he's a switch hitter too. Tek ought to provide at least what he did last year, which was still enough to win a few games for this team.

 

Their real strength should be their pitching staff:

 

Beckett

Dice-K

Lester

Wakefield

Penny/Smoltz/Buchholz

 

(Lester is the 2nd best pitcher on this team, but I bet he'll be in the #3 spot.) I'm still convinced that Buchholz will be a very good pitcher in this league, it's just a matter of time. His stuff is disgusting, better than Lester's, and he uses it effectively already to make hitters swing and miss. Now he needs to learn how to pitch to contact a bit more. I'm very excited to see what he's capable of when he's 25, 26, 27 and 28.

 

It's the bullpen, though, that has the potential to be really impressive. They've added one pitcher who is both healthy and dominant (Ramon Ramirez) and another in Saito who is elite when healthy. Adding SP depth allows them to keep Masterson in the pen, so now it looks like:

 

Lopez

Delcarmen

Ramirez

Okajima

Masterson

Saito

Papelbon

 

Ramirez and Delcarmen are strikeout pitchers, Saito and Okajima are reliable late-inning guys who don't hurt themselves with walks under pressure, Masterson can get a DP and tie up righties, and Papelbon is arguably the best closer in the game right now. Every pitcher (other than Lopez) could be a set-up man or closer on many other teams.

 

It should be a good season to watch unfold. I think the Yankees had the best off-season but the Sox are deep without obvious holes and with MVP caliber players sprinkled throughout their lineup.

[BoSox21]

If everything goes right, the Sox are positioned to do very well in 2009. But the problem is, chances are everything won't go right.

 

Can Beckett rebound?

Can Dice-K possibly be as good?

Will Lester have a 2008 hangover?

Will Smoltz, Saito and/or Penny resemble their former selves?

Will Buchholz finally get it all together?

Will Lowell's hip hold up?

Will Ortiz produce without Manny?

Will Ellsbury make significant progress?

Did Youkilis just have his best year?

Can Drew's back hold up?

 

The Sox need a lot of these things to go their way to be contenders in 2009

[Dipre]

If everything goes right, the Sox are positioned to do very well in 2009. But the problem is, chances are everything won't go right.

 

Can Beckett rebound?

Can Dice-K possibly be as good?

Will Lester have a 2008 hangover?

Will Smoltz, Saito and/or Penny resemble their former selves?

Will Buchholz finally get it all together?

Will Lowell's hip hold up?

Will Ortiz produce without Manny?

Will Ellsbury make significant progress?

Did Youkilis just have his best year?

Can Drew's back hold up?

 

The Sox need a lot of these things to go their way to be contenders in 2009

 

The three highlighted ones, to me, are the most likely options to NOT go our way in 2009, but hey, you never know.

[BoSox21]

Personally, I don't think Dice-K can possibly be as good and definitely not better but the fact that Beckett should be better would nullify that

[Dipre]

I also have faith that Bucholz will finally get it together if handled the right way and if they stop messing around with his delivery.

[riverside sluggers]

Rocco is another question mark

[BoSox21]

True, but its a minimal one

[diony]

Can Beckett rebound?

 

I'm sure he can, he's not a 4 ERA pitcher.

Can Dice-K possibly be as good?

No way.

Will Lester have a 2008 hangover?

That's a big question mark.

Will Smoltz, Saito and/or Penny resemble their former selves?

Maybe Saito. But I'm not sure about Penny and Smoltz.

Will Buchholz finally get it all together?

Well he can't be worst than last year.

Will Lowell's hip hold up?

I doubt it.

Will Ortiz produce without Manny?

He'll bounce back, but not at 06-07 levels.

Will Ellsbury make significant progress?

Maybe he'll hit for more avg and get less Ks.

Did Youkilis just have his best year?

Probably, but he could have a few more years as good as last one.

Can Drew's back hold up?

I doubt it. They signed Baldelli for a reason.

[Dipre]

I agree with Diony in most fronts except the Lester one.

 

I think the Sox will handle him with the kid gloves this year to avoid a hangover, and he'll probably be healthy and effective throughout the season.

[italstallianion]

I think one of the reason for signing most of those players was for insurance. I doubt all of the question marks will be solved, but we should have the depth to compete even withstanding a few blows. Last year seemed to be an anomaly for injuries, and I personally doubt that 2009 will be as bad. Even so, we may not have as many "great" players as some other teams, but we have a very high number of above average/good players that should make our team one of the most balanced and threatening teams around. I think this offseason deserves an A- at the least.

 

I'm definitely excited about baseball season, but that's not saying much since my football team has gone to hell, my hockey team isn't doing particularly well, and I'm always nervous about my NCAA basketball team.

[italstallianion]

Not to mention that baseball typically means no school, although since this year I'm on trimesters I'll be stuck in England until mid June. Oh well, at least I'll be able to turn 21 in the States.

[Dojji]

If everything goes right, the Sox are positioned to do very well in 2009. But the problem is, chances are everything won't go right.

 

Can Beckett rebound?

 

There's no doubt whatsoever in anyone's mind that Beckett can rebound, that's the wrong question, the question is will he rebound, and I think it's likely.

 

Can Dice-K possibly be as good?

 

I have a sneaking suspicion that with 2 big league years under his belt this is the year that Daisuke really shows us what he is.

 

Will Lester have a 2008 hangover?

 

Wouldn't rule it out, but I think it's more likely that we just saw a kid "get it" last year and that he won't let it go again.

Will Smoltz, Saito and/or Penny resemble their former selves?

 

In Penny's case, hope not. Moer seriously, I'm not sure exactly how much we're counting on any of those guys. In each case we have replacements lurking in the minors just waiting for a chance. Buchholz, Bowden and Kris Johnson all can stand in if Penny and Smoltz do flop, Masterson's proven he can do both at at least an adequate level, and Jones looks like a pretty good bullpen prospect and WILL get playing time this year if he repeats his 2008 numbers (durable lefty with Jones' AAA numbers, don't tell me you can keep that guy in AAA all year!)

Will Buchholz finally get it all together?

 

As much as I'm not that big on Buck, I'm not convinced he had it that far apart. His strikeout numbers are good, that tells me that he's an adjustment away from pulling a Lester. A lot of strikeout pitchers have a year like Buck had. Witness Randy Johnson. Witness Johan Santana. I think that if he can work out the trouble with his fastball and place it the way he's supposed to be able to we'll have a dominant guy on our hands.

 

Will Lowell's hip hold up?

 

Again, we have depth here. This is why I considered extending Youkilis to be a big offseason priority and Teixeira a small one. If Lowell DOES go down we can go to Youkilis 3B, Bailey/Carter/Anderson 1B at any time.

 

Will Ortiz produce without Manny?

 

Umm... yes?

 

Will Ellsbury make significant progress?

 

Does he need to? Sure be nice if he could get his OBP up over .350 or so but really he only needs to make modest progress to be a successful big league CF.

 

Did Youkilis just have his best year?

 

You never know, but it's statistically unlikely. THere's no statistical sign that he got lucky in any way, this just looks like Youkilis getting familiar enough with the league that that good eye of his turns from seeing pitches to take and walk to seeing pitches to crush over the Monstah.

Can Drew's back hold up?

 

This is perhaps the big question. Drew's ability to stay on the field is probably the one thing that we're actually counting on a guy for where I can't honestly say I like our depth options. It's one of the reasons I wish a prospect not named Brandon Moss had been part of the Bay trade.

 

The Sox need a lot of these things to go their way to be contenders in 2009

 

The Sox need a lot of thingsd to go their way to be a perfect, immaculate, spotless, 130-win baseball team in 2009, They can contend even if a lot of the se answers come back as a no.

[SCM33]

If everything goes right, the Sox are positioned to do very well in 2009. But the problem is, chances are everything won't go right.

 

Can Beckett rebound? Yes, he has waayyyy too good of stuff not to

Can Dice-K possibly be as good? Even though the numbers show he was good, I didnt think he was all that great......I hate watching him pitch even though the numbers prove everything I feel about him wrong

Will Lester have a 2008 hangover? He battled cancer and won, playing baseball is easy and fun for this guy...having won his battle with cancer, I highly doubt there is any battle he can lose

Will Smoltz, Saito and/or Penny resemble their former selves? I think Smoltz pitches well when hes ready, hes still nasty. I think Saito will contribute very little. I think Penny is average at best.

Will Buchholz finally get it all together? I think he is traded at some point.

Will Lowell's hip hold up? Not really sure. I think they really pursue Dunn ( I hate him too) hard with the thoughts that it may not hold up

Will Ortiz produce without Manny? It all depends on however Bay/Youkilis/ Dunn (if they get him) are hitting. Why pitch to Ortiz if the guy behind him cant hit?

Will Ellsbury make significant progress? I think so. I still think he will be a stud.

Did Youkilis just have his best year? Maybe, but I dont exactly expect a hude dropoff. Even if he regresses a little.....hes still pretty damn good.

Can Drew's back hold up? You can basically name any body part on Drew with a ? at the end of the question.

 

The Sox need a lot of these things to go their way to be contenders in 2009

 

 

All my responses are in Bold.

[jacksonianmarch]

Can Beckett rebound?

 

It isnt much rebound as it is stay healthy. If you look at his numbers, his 2008 performance is more in line with his career. His 07 numbers were actually career numbers. Most wins, lowest WHIP AND lowest OPS against. I expect his 09 numbers to be similar in terms of peripherals to his 08 numbers. The question is, does he get hurt 3 separate times again? He spent time on the DL to start the yr with the back, at the end of August with the elbow and was neutralized in the playoffs with the oblique. Thats the question.

 

Can Dice-K possibly be as good?

 

I dont think DiceK was all that "good" in 08. His predilection for staying out of the zone cost his bullpen valuable innings. And the job of a #2 starter, which he was for most of the yr, is to go deep into games. He pitched like a #5 starter. Good performance, few innings. And while his ERA was solid, his BB/9 was ridiculous, something that cost him baserunners and innings. He cannot continue to walk 5 guys per 9 innings and get away with it. His incredibly low BABIP will catch up to him eventually. If I was John Farrel, I'd be telling him that allowing a hit with nobody on base and 2 outs is actually okay. He doesnt need to walk the sacks packed and then get the out.

 

Will Lester have a 2008 hangover?

 

I wouldnt call it a hangover. I think the better question is, can he continue his dominating performance at the end of the yr? As good as Lester was from May on, his Sept and Oct. were ridiculous. Another question would be, how will he handle his jump in innings from a yr ago. He jumped from 153IP in 2007 to 237IP in 2008. Thats a pretty big jump for a kid who isnt accustomed to a MLB workload.

 

Will Smoltz, Saito and/or Penny resemble their former selves?

 

I think Penny is the only guy capable of doing so. Saito's elbow is torn, so much so that a large market team like the dodgers wouldnt even gamble 4 mil on their all star closer. That should tell you something. And Smoltz, who is 41, is coming off reconstructive shoulder surgery, something that pitchers rarely come back from unscathed. Penny, OTOH, doesnt have a structural defect thus far from the MRIs he has had, so it has to be assumed that its only inflamed. So he has the best chance of recovering his average to above average baseline.

 

Will Buchholz finally get it all together?

 

If they stop f***ing with him then yes. The guy I saw at the end of 2007 was not the same guy who took the mound in 08. The tweak to his mechanics took away Buchholz' confidence in his stuff and his performance suffered. I understand they wanted to take some strain off, and that all well and good. But if they were gonna be changing something as significant as arm slot, its best to do that in the minors. If Buchholz gets used to the arm slot or goes back to his prior ways, I see no reason why he cant slot into the #4 slot vacated by Smoltz and Penny if they fail. If they continue to tinker with him, then I think he's dealt. He doesnt seem to be a kid who deals with change all that well

 

Will Lowell's hip hold up?

 

Hold up is a relative term. I do not think he can play 140-160 games at his level on that hip. I also dont think a redux of 2007 is possible. So you have a guy who you hope can get back to his .280/20/80 baseline on a bad wheel at an advancing age. Its gonna be a wing and a prayer season for the sox 3b. I may be the first one to do this here, but I think Lars sees MLB time this yr now that Tex is in the Bronx. If that hip hampers him enough to be a non factor, I could see Lars coming up to 1b and Youk being moved to 3rd. Lars doesnt have much left to prove.

 

Will Ortiz produce without Manny?

 

I also think there is a caveat with this one. Will Ortiz get back to the quick bat baseline that he was in 07 and before. By the end of the yr, his bat was as slow as I have ever seen it. If he doesnt recover that bat speed, then he will not produce like the Papi you all know and love, no matter who hits behind him. If he does fully recover, then it all depends on how well the #4 hitter performs. If its Youks and he plays like he did in 08, then I dont see much of a choice but to pitch to big fatty. If youks goes back to his baseline and he stays in the 4 hole, then I wouldnt pitch to Papi ever.

 

Will Ellsbury make significant progress?

 

He regressed significantly as the yr went on last yr. His biggest job should be to get on base. And he did that job well in April and May. He had a .385OBP for the first 2 months with an IsoPatience of near .100. He subsequently walked only 14 more times through the rest of the yr. If he doesnt adjust to the pitchers, he's gonna be an offensive liability. He needs to understand that his job isnt to hit homers or EBH. His job is to get on first base. He forgot that from June on. Also, I think pitchers kinda figured him out too. Go right after him and he really wont burn you. We'll see. But I am skeptical that he can maintain a .350+ OBP in 09. Thats his marker for success

 

Did Youkilis just have his best year?

 

Yes he did. The question should be, can he repeat it. His baseline says no. He's been a pro baseball player since 2001 and his baseline is a mid .800s OPS. Suddenly, his SLG and OPS jump 100 points. I think he can do it, but going by his baseline, I find it hard to believe that he'll maintain this elevated level of play

 

Can Drew's back hold up?

 

Prediction, he'll hit the DL at one time during 2009. Its a right of the season

[Dojji]

 

 

 

I dont think DiceK was all that "good" in 08. His predilection for staying out of the zone cost his bullpen valuable innings. And the job of a #2 starter, which he was for most of the yr, is to go deep into games. He pitched like a #5 starter. Good performance, few innings. And while his ERA was solid, his BB/9 was ridiculous, something that cost him baserunners and innings. He cannot continue to walk 5 guys per 9 innings and get away with it. His incredibly low BABIP will catch up to him eventually. If I was John Farrel, I'd be telling him that allowing a hit with nobody on base and 2 outs is actually okay. He doesnt need to walk the sacks packed and then get the out.

 

At no point after May was Daisuke the #2 starter. For all his struggles, after May it was either Beckett-Lester or Lester-Beckett the rest of the way.

 

 

I wouldnt call it a hangover. I think the better question is, can he continue his dominating performance at the end of the yr? As good as Lester was from May on, his Sept and Oct. were ridiculous. Another question would be, how will he handle his jump in innings from a yr ago. He jumped from 153IP in 2007 to 237IP in 2008. Thats a pretty big jump for a kid who isnt accustomed to a MLB workload.

 

I really don't think that's going to be a factor. IMHO Lester looks better than Pettitte did at the same age (Lester's 2008 was better than all but 1 year of Pettitte's New York career). He probably won't repeat his 2008 but if he does he'll be pushing Beckett for ace status in this rotation.

 

 

I think Penny is the only guy capable of doing so.

 

Penny is the pitcher least likely of that group to succeed in the American League East.

 

Saito's elbow is torn, so much so that a large market team like the dodgers wouldnt even gamble 4 mil on their all star closer.

 

That, or Broxton took over the closer's job and made it his own while Saito was hurt and helped lead a previously struggling Dodgers team to the playoffs.

 

That should tell you something.

 

Well it does tell me something. It tells me that Scott Proctor must have been unavailable, because otherwise he'd have been the closer, setup man, long reliever and lefty specialist (after his arm fell off again).

 

And Smoltz, who is 41, is coming off reconstructive shoulder surgery, something that pitchers rarely come back from unscathed.

 

Smiltz is also coming off one of the best statistical years of his career in '07 and it's not like the team doesn't have alternates if Smoltz can't make it back. He's the ultimate low risk gamble.

 

Penny, OTOH, doesnt have a structural defect thus far from the MRIs he has had, so it has to be assumed that its only inflamed. So he has the best chance of recovering his average to above average baseline.

 

 

... that he earned himself in the National League West. At least the others are talented and consistently effective players when healthy. Brad Penny recalls Carl Pavano more than Josh Beckett.

[jacksonianmarch]

from the USA today

 

Saito has been as effective as any reliever in the game during his three years in the majors, but indications are that his elbow is hanging on by a thread and he wasn't interested in accepting an incentive-laden deal to stay on with the Dodgers. It will be interesting to see what happens next. Another large-market team could do worse than gamble $4 million or so on him.

 

Moving on to Smoltz, he did have a great yr in 07. But being over 40 and having shoulder reconstruction has a way of dampering your performance

 

On to Lester, I agree that he has put himself into the ace discussion and a repetition of a yr ago would cement that status. That being said, an IP jump like he had is not a non-issue. Hell, all you sox fans continue to talk about how Joba's IP jump will be a big problem. Look at the 80+ IP that Lester jumped in one yr. And in regards of Pettitte to Lester, Jonboy's gonna need to do it a few yrs. Andy never really was an ace per se, but he was durable and he was effective. He was never a guy you'd flock to the park to see and hope he'd K 15 guys.

 

In regards to penny, I agree, if all three were healthy, he'd be my "first cut" candidate. But the other two have major injuries to overcome. Penny just has to get over the fact that he isnt very good and that his shoulder aches from time to time

[a700hitter]

Hell' date=' all you sox fans continue to talk about how Joba's IP jump will be a big problem. [/quote']The reason why it will be a problem for Joba is because he has a track record of arm troubles. Last year he threw around 90 innings and he had shoulder tendinitis. I think he has real durability issues.

[Dojji]

As opposed to Lester, who is, if nothing else, moderately durable and hasn't had a sports related injury history. If a guy is a horse it's safe to push him. If like Joba he's had some problems, you don't want to frig with that too much.

[italstallianion]

Yeah but horse or not you don't want to have a huge increase in innings, especially with someone that young just because you don't want to increase their chances of injury the following season, or hinder their development. I don't mind Lester pitching big innings, I just don't like a huge increase in between seasons.

[JimEdHOF2009]

I actually agree with JAX on Smoltz.. that was MAJOR surgery...not to mention the age factor. Anything we get from Smoltz is gravy IMO. Ditto for Saito.

 

Penny not so much. If people are expecting him to be a #2 or even #3 they will be disappointed. Penny has very good stuff and his injuries were minor compared to Smoltz. Penny aslo pitched in an extreme pitchers park when he compiled his numbers for the Dodgers. I do however think Penny can be a solid #4 for the Sox. Assuming he stays healthy I can see him sporting a 15-10 record with a low 4 ERA and decent WHIP.

 

Dice-K to me is the one I am worried about. Throwing as many pitches as he does and has over his career, he is bound to have some injury problems. I would like to see him challenge hitters early in counts and make them beat him. As Jax and others have noted, you cannot expect his BA w/RISP to continue at such a ridiculous pace.

 

I am not worried about Beckett or Lesterat all. They are both aces.

[Dipre]

I actually agree with JAX on Smoltz.. that was MAJOR surgery...not to mention the age factor. Anything we get from Smoltz is gravy IMO. Ditto for Saito.

 

Penny not so much. If people are expecting him to be a #2 or even #3 they will be disappointed. Penny has very good stuff and his injuries were minor compared to Smoltz. Penny aslo pitched in an extreme pitchers park when he compiled his numbers for the Dodgers. I do however think Penny can be a solid #4 for the Sox. Assuming he stays healthy I can see him sporting a 15-10 record with a low 4 ERA and decent WHIP.

 

Dice-K to me is the one I am worried about. Throwing as many pitches as he does and has over his career, he is bound to have some injury problems. I would like to see him challenge hitters early in counts and make them beat him. As Jax and others have noted, you cannot expect his BA w/RISP to continue at such a ridiculous pace.

 

I am not worried about Beckett or Lesterat all. They are both aces.

 

YOU were being nice to Jacko?

 

Then i have no other choice but to completely agree with his statement.......

[italstallianion]

To be honest I'm more worried about Beckett than Dice-K. Not necessarily in terms of injury, although Beckett has had more injuries so far, but rather, in terms of effectiveness. Beckett seems to be overrated in terms of his effectiveness, as he hasn't had many "amazing years". I know Dice-K hasn't been in the league that long, but unless Beckett goes back to his 07 numbers, then Dice-K looks like he'd have a better year.

 

Dice-K obviously has his baggage, as I'm yet to be able to watch a Dice-K start without changing the channel due to high blood pressure, but I'd count on Dice-K before I'm able to count on Beckett, that's all I'm trying to say. I'm prepared for people to try and jump on me about that...

[diony]

To be honest I'm more worried about Beckett than Dice-K. Not necessarily in terms of injury' date=' although Beckett has had more injuries so far, but rather, in terms of effectiveness. Beckett seems to be overrated in terms of his effectiveness, as he hasn't had many "amazing years". I know Dice-K hasn't been in the league that long, but [b']unless Beckett goes back to his 07 numbers[/b], then Dice-K looks like he'd have a better year.

 

Dice-K obviously has his baggage, as I'm yet to be able to watch a Dice-K start without changing the channel due to high blood pressure, but I'd count on Dice-K before I'm able to count on Beckett, that's all I'm trying to say. I'm prepared for people to try and jump on me about that...

 

He was the same pitcher in 2008 that he was in 2007.

 

K/9

 

2007: 8.7

2008: 8.88

 

BB/9

 

2007: 1.79

2008: 1.76

 

K/BB

 

2007: 4.85

2008: 5.06

 

BABIP

 

2007: .316

2008: .327

Career BABIP: .301

 

ERA compared to FIP

 

2007: 3.27 - 3.08

2008: 4.03 - 3.24

 

That's two straight seasons of bad luck.

 

Not worried about Dice-K? Don't get surprised if he can't reach 180 IPs and finish with an 4ish ERA

[riverside sluggers]

As opposed to Lester' date=' who is, if nothing else, moderately durable and hasn't had a [i']sports related[/i] injury history. If a guy is a horse it's safe to push him. If like Joba he's had some problems, you don't want to frig with that too much.

 

And Lester hasnt been pushed back and forth to the rotation/bullpen

[BSN07]

He was the same pitcher in 2008 that he was in 2007.

 

K/9

 

2007: 8.7

2008: 8.88

 

BB/9

 

2007: 1.79

2008: 1.76

 

K/BB

 

2007: 4.85

2008: 5.06

 

BABIP

 

2007: .316

2008: .327

Career BABIP: .301

 

ERA compared to FIP

 

2007: 3.27 - 3.08

2008: 4.03 - 3.24

 

That's two straight seasons of bad luck.

 

Not worried about Dice-K? Don't get surprised if he can't reach 180 IPs and finish with an 4ish ERA

 

Nice post diony.

 

 

Beckett did seem to have a rough go last year. I think there was 3 or 4 games in which the score ended up being 1-0 or 2-1, him being on the losing end of those games. I expect him to be a little close to 2007 form this up coming season. If I had to make an off hand prediction on his 09 season, I'd say 16-17 wins 6-7 losses, 3.7ish ERA right around the 200IP plateau, 180ish K's, and 40ish BB. That be a solid year for him.

 

 

 

Dice-K worrys me though. I think he can continue to be great, but theres a part of me that thinks he is risky heading forward. The man throws an absolute ton of pitches for todays standard. I've really never seen a power nibbler before. It seems not to fall in line witht he Sox "perspective" on pitching. But he has managed to have success with it. I just hope his arm holds out. I see Dice-K's ERA going up to around 3.5 area. Which is still very good.

[italstallianion]

I did say that Dice-K worries me in the sense that I can't watch his starts because of my blood pressure, but I'd predict Dice-K to have better numbers overall than Beckett. Maybe not the same numbers that you may look at, but pretty or not, Dice-K gets it done.

[Dipre]

I did say that Dice-K worries me in the sense that I can't watch his starts because of my blood pressure' date=' but I'd predict Dice-K to have better numbers overall than Beckett. Maybe not the same numbers that you may look at, but pretty or not, Dice-K gets it done.[/quote']

 

.225 Babip with men on base= fluke.

 

So i'd be much more worried about Dice if i were you.