Beckett vs Lester in Game 1

[TheKilo]

How's this for an off the wall suggestion?

 

Start Beckett. In Game 3.

 

It's become pretty clear that Beckett, for whatever reason, only feels that he can be successful when pitching to Jason Varitek. Also, for whatever reason, Josh Beckett has been a far superior pitcher in Fenway Park this season. If you have to start Varitek, then you should do it in an environment where putting his bat in the lineup reduces the negative overall effect on the lineup. Also, if the Angels line up their rotation the way I expect them to, they will do it Lackey-Weaver-Kazmir-Saunders.

 

Pitching Beckett 3rd allows them to pitch him in an environment where he is most comfortable, to his preferred catcher, and the offense does not take as big of a hit with Tek in there against a lefty.

[Dipre]

How's this for an off the wall suggestion?

 

Start Beckett. In Game 3.

 

It's become pretty clear that Beckett, for whatever reason, only feels that he can be successful when pitching to Jason Varitek. Also, for whatever reason, Josh Beckett has been a far superior pitcher in Fenway Park this season. If you have to start Varitek, then you should do it in an environment where putting his bat in the lineup reduces the negative overall effect on the lineup. Also, if the Angels line up their rotation the way I expect them to, they will do it Lackey-Weaver-Kazmir-Saunders.

 

Pitching Beckett 3rd allows them to pitch him in an environment where he is most comfortable, to his preferred catcher, and the offense does not take as big of a hit with Tek in there against a lefty.

 

The stats back this up.

 

Home: 3.42 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, .211 BAA.

 

Road: 4.13 ERA ,1.31 WHIP, .271 BAA.

[TheKilo]

The stats back this up.

 

Home: 3.42 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, .211 BAA.

 

Road: 4.13 ERA ,1.31 WHIP, .271 BAA.

 

On the surface, you'd think it's lunacy, but the fact is the only pitcher who is going to start more than one game in this series is the #1 starter, who should be LEster based on the body of work this season.

 

The Sox are going to need four starters regardless of the matchups and I think Lester should get the call, if needed, for games 1 and 5.

 

edit - Of course, if the Angels choose the series in which only three starters are needed, then you pitch Beckett in game 2.

[The_Destroyah]

honestly? its odd but that sounds like a smart idea Kilo, unfortunately I dont see the FO actually doing this, its just a little weird to have your ace starting game 3 but I think it puts as at an interesting advantage.

[Dipre]

On the surface, you'd think it's lunacy, but the fact is the only pitcher who is going to start more than one game in this series is the #1 starter, who should be LEster based on the body of work this season.

 

The Sox are going to need four starters regardless of the matchups and I think Lester should get the call, if needed, for games 1 and 5.

 

edit - Of course, if the Angels choose the series in which only three starters are needed, then you pitch Beckett in game 2.

 

There's also the problem of having Bucholz start game 2 of a playoff series on the road.

 

That'd be quite a tough pill to swallow for the kid.

[The_Destroyah]

There's also the problem of having Bucholz start game 2 of a playoff series on the road.

 

That'd be quite a tough pill to swallow for the kid.

 

I honestly think he can handle it and keep us in the game, and it wouldnt hurt to get him some playoff experience and a bit of pressure.

[TheKilo]

There's also the problem of having Bucholz start game 2 of a playoff series on the road.

 

That'd be quite a tough pill to swallow for the kid.

 

Why, exactly? I fail to see the difference between him pitching in game 2 v game 3.

[WhiskeyBreath]

You really want someone other than either Lester or Beckett on the mound in game 2 if they happen to lose game 1? No thanks.

[TheKilo]

I'd rather they play to win.

[Dipre]

Why' date=' exactly? I fail to see the difference between him pitching in game 2 v game 3.[/quote']

 

Bucholz has a 2.72/4.30 home/road ERA, and his splits are even more dramatic than Beckett's, so that's why.

[The_Destroyah]

and wouldnt that mean that if it came to it Lester and Clay would pitch 2 games rather than Lester and Beckett?

[TheKilo]

Bucholz has a 2.72/4.30 home/road ERA' date=' and his splits are even more dramatic than Beckett's, so that's why.[/quote']

 

Which can be tied to one or two bad outings, and the caveats of SSS apply.

[Dipre]

Which can be tied to one or two bad outings' date=' and the caveats of SSS apply.[/quote']

 

What i'm trying to say is not that he's horrible on the road, but that you have to play to his strengths.

 

If there's someone whose potential you need to maximize come playoff time, it's Buch.

[TheKilo]

What i'm trying to say is not that he's horrible on the road, but that you have to play to his strengths.

 

If there's someone whose potential you need to maximize come playoff time, it's Buch.

 

See, it's not as good of a fit for the reasons I spoke of earlier.

[Dipre]

See' date=' it's not as good of a fit for the reasons I spoke of earlier.[/quote']

 

I just think it's a lot more difficult pitching on the road than at home, specially in the playoffs, and Beckett has the experience to make the adjustments come playoff time.

 

However, this is all moot because Beckett's probably starting game 1.

[Cocos Disciples]

edit - Of course, if the Angels choose the series in which only three starters are needed, then you pitch Beckett in game 2.

 

This is a nitpick, but the Yankees will get to choose which series they get, and they'll likely choose more days off.

 

But I like the idea. You touched upon this, but if Kazmir and Beckett go in G3 then you have Varitek facing a LHP, which is favorable.

[TheKilo]

This is a nitpick, but the Yankees will get to choose which series they get, and they'll likely choose more days off.

 

But I like the idea. You touched upon this, but if Kazmir and Beckett go in G3 then you have Varitek facing a LHP, which is favorable.

 

Yeah, that's what I meant.

[Youk Of The Nation]

Varitek facing anyone isn't 'favorable', unless you're the other team.

[Cocos Disciples]

Varitek facing anyone isn't 'favorable'' date=' unless you're the other team.[/quote']

 

He has an .800 OPS against LHP, I'll take that.

[redsoxrules]

He has an .800 OPS against LHP' date=' I'll take that.[/quote']

 

that's for the entire season ....whats it at since june ?

[WhiskeyBreath]

He has an .800 OPS against LHP' date=' I'll take that.[/quote']

 

I'm willing to be he has awful numbers vs a filthy lefty like Kazmir though.

[Cocos Disciples]

that's for the entire season ....whats it at since june ?

 

I'm willing to be he has awful numbers vs a filthy lefty like Kazmir though.

 

I'm sure neither of the lines are good, but if you have to start Varitek when Beckett starts, wouldn't you rather have him hit against a LHP?

[WhiskeyBreath]

I'm sure neither of the lines are good' date=' but if you have to start Varitek when Beckett starts, wouldn't you rather have him hit against a LHP?[/quote']

 

To be honest, I don't think it matters who is pitching. He's been worse than awful since the trade deadline and I don't think he will contribute a single thing to this team offensively in the playoffs.

[Cocos Disciples]

He's probably not going to contribute anything, but you know he's going to be playing one game in the LDS, so doesn't it make sense to at least try to get something useful out of him?

[BoSox21]

I'm half-joking but Buchholz is making a hell of a case for himself...

[Dojji]

I'm half-joking but Buchholz is making a hell of a case for himself...

 

buchholz is our playoff #3, and he's earned that right. But he's not starting over Lester or Beckett.

[Boston31Lester]

Jon Lester is 11-2 with a 2.14 ERA since the end of May. Beckett, although considered the Ace of the staff, struggled a bit in August but has turned it around recently. Buchholz has come up big when the Sox needed him most, down the stretch run. Daisuke Matsuzaka has shown signs of improvement in his return to the rotation and you always have the depth of Tim Wakefield, although back problems persist. All that being said, the rotation for the postseason should be as follows: 1. Beckett, 2. Lester, 3. Buchholz, 4. Matsuzaka, 5. Wakefield. Although Lester has proved to be most consistent, Beckett has a postseason resume a mile long. He thrives when the pressure is on and he WILL get the job done! The consistency of Lester, in my opinion, has proved to be the biggest factor in the Red Sox success this year. However, we can't forget about the late season aquisitions of Victor Martinez, making for a dangerous number 3 hitter, and Alex Gonzalez to solidify the infield and give them some more production at the bottom of the lineup. All things considered, the key to the Sox winning a title this year could very well rest on the shoulders of young Clay Buchholz. You know you got Beckett and you know you got Lester. Will Buccholz buckle under the unwavering pressure of playoff baseball? Has he finally matured into the pitcher he's expected to be? What better place to answer that than the postseason? Time will tell. Seeding aside, the Red Sox are very good, they're confident, they're experienced, and they never say die. Watch out, boys, it's October, and the Sox are hungry!

[The_Destroyah]

Jon Lester is 11-2 with a 2.14 ERA since the end of May. Beckett' date=' although considered the Ace of the staff, struggled a bit in August but has turned it around recently. Buchholz has come up big when the Sox needed him most, down the stretch run. Daisuke Matsuzaka has shown signs of improvement in his return to the rotation and you always have the depth of Tim Wakefield, although back problems persist. All that being said, the rotation for the postseason should be as follows: 1. Beckett, 2. Lester, 3. Buchholz, 4. Matsuzaka, 5. Wakefield. Although Lester has proved to be most consistent, Beckett has a postseason resume a mile long. He thrives when the pressure is on and he WILL get the job done! The consistency of Lester, in my opinion, has proved to be the biggest factor in the Red Sox success this year. However, we can't forget about the late season aquisitions of Victor Martinez, making for a dangerous number 3 hitter, and Alex Gonzalez to solidify the infield and give them some more production at the bottom of the lineup. All things considered, the key to the Sox winning a title this year could very well rest on the shoulders of young Clay Buchholz. You know you got Beckett and you know you got Lester. Will Buccholz buckle under the unwavering pressure of playoff baseball? Has he finally matured into the pitcher he's expected to be? What better place to answer that than the postseason? Time will tell. Seeding aside, the Red Sox are very good, they're confident, they're experienced, and they never say die. Watch out, boys, it's October, and the Sox are hungry![/quote']

 

Will Heidi continue to blow Tek even with his current level of suck? Will Rocco Baldelli pass out due to exhaustion while putting on his uniform? will Clay finally hit puberty? Tune in next time to find out...

[WhiskeyBreath]

haha I'm sorry but I don't read walls of text like that

[Dipre]

I'm half-joking but Buchholz is making a hell of a case for himself...

 

You shouldn't half-joke about it.

 

He's on fire.