4/2 @ Texas (Game 2)

[boston22407]

ight thanks

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

All hail Lowrie!!!!

[Cocos Disciples]

Lackey was the first Red Sox pitcher since Tiant in 1974 to allow the Double Cycle: two singles, doubles, triples, home runs.

[a700hitter]

I am glad that I didn't see this game.

[example1]

You should be. Although the score was bad, it appeared to me to be another game that hinged on a matter of inches. Ellsbury missed a diving catch pretty early (4th inning?) that led to the Rangers blowing it open. Yesterday it was the chalkdust double.

 

It isn't making excuses, I just hold out a lot of hope for this team. They need better SP though. Without that this team will be cooked.

[SCM33]

I really hope Buchholz turns things around tomorrow....or we could possibly start the season 0-5 if Beckett and Dice-K pitch like they did last year.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

We're not losing two in a row against Cleveland.

[Jacoby_Ellsbury]

Yes it izz! It be ova! Lester sucks' date=' Bard sucks, Crawford sucks, Salty sucks and everyone doing bad sucks!!! We're gonna be 2 games back from the Yankees. Oh well always next year right?[/quote']

The furry wall. Stroke it.

[a700hitter]

I still don't understand the decision to have Lackey start game 2. Yesterday's results aside, did he do this to set up the rotation against the Yankees?

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

John Lackey is No. 2 in the Boston Red Sox pitching rotation

Ron Chimelis, The Republican

 

Posted: 03/17/2011 12:17 PM

And your No. 2 Boston Red Sox starter is .... John Lackey.

 

Manager Terry Francona revealed the rest of his rotation Thursday, one day after declaring Jon Lester his Opening Day starter at Texas on April 1.

 

That was no surprise. Making Lackey No. 2 was a mild surprise, given Buchholz's outstanding 2010 season and Lackey's own struggles at time, but Francona had reasons.

 

"John came to spring training in great shape, and I also just think he's a guy who, no matter who he's matched up against, gives you a chance to win. You look up in the seventh inning and you've got a chance,'' Francona said.

 

Buchholz will pitch the third and final game in Texas. After an off day April 4, Josh Beckett will open a series at Cleveland.

 

Daisuke Matsuzaka is No. 5. He'd face the Guardians on April 6.

 

The rotation lines up so that As it stands, Lackey would pitch the home opener against the Yankees April 8.

 

Francona said the No. 3 spot was certainly not a reflection on Buchholz.

 

"His numbers say he could pitch anywhere. This could just give us a better chance of winning,'' the manager said.

 

"If they (all) pitch like they should, it won't matter. And if they don't, it also won't matter.

 

"You can't put too much into the first two weeks' rotation, anyway. I'd almost bet we'll lose a game (to weather) in Cleveland.

 

Lackey was 14-11 with a 4.40 ERA last year. After signing a five-year, $82 million contract, his performance was widely viewed as a disappointment.

 

"We didn't look at it that way. He was just one of those guys, it seemed, who would would give up some late runs, or the reliever would give up runs,'' Francona said.

 

Lackey's durability is well-regarded by the Red Sox.

 

"He gives you 200 innings a year and gives you a chance to win. The innings have to come from somewhere; if you're in the middle of the season and looking for innings, you're in trouble,'' Francona said.

 

The manager was asked if pitching for a year in the tough AL East can make a pitcher tougher and better.

 

"If you're good. Sometimes it can work against you. But John is a solid pro, he's accountable and I think you'll see his numbers improve across the board,'' Francona said.

 

[Northern Star]

I would flip Lackey and Clay. And all that money on Beckett and he;s the #4 starter is depressing.

[yeszir]

Still not freaking out.

 

Although I didn't get to watch the game.