6/29 @ PHI

[Palodios]

I think it should be fitting for someone that actually has had faith in John Lackey to start this gamethread, in a game where the Red Sox really need him to perform.

 

Just win.

[FredLynn]

I think it should be fitting for someone that actually has had faith in John Lackey to start this gamethread, in a game where the Red Sox really need him to perform.

 

Just win.

 

Sure. I would be more than happy to start the game thread. I have faith in Lackey to do exactly what he has been doing all season long for us. Why would anyone expect anything different? So I will start the game thread with the following piece:

 

Having lost five of their last six, the Boston Red Sox turn tonight to a starter whose struggles have reached near historic proportions.

 

Highest ERA, 2011 (min. 50 IP)

Pitcher ERA

John Lackey 7.36

Sean O'Sullivan 6.92

Fausto Carmona 5.89

Brad Bergesen 5.88

Javier Vazquez 5.83

John Lackey comes into the contest with the highest ERA among pitcher with 50 innings pitched in 2011.

 

He finds himself on track for one of the worst first halves ever by a Red Sox pitcher. In fact, since World War II, he’d currently have the highest ERA for a Red Sox pitcher at the All-Star break (minimum 50 innings).

 

With three starts likely remaining until the break, there’s a significant amount of room between Lackey (7.36 ERA) and the pitcher who currently holds that ignominious distinction. In 1960, Jerry Casale was a 26-year-old fresh off a 13-8 rookie season in which he famously hit a home run in his first start. Battling arm trouble, Casale had a 6.89 ERA at the break, by which time he’d already lost his spot in the rotation.

 

Since then, Matt Clement’s disastrous 2006 campaign came closest to matching Casale’s poor first half. Now Lackey is on his way to an even worse first half.

 

Highest ERA at All-Star Break, Sox Since World War II (min. 50 IP)

Pitcher ERA Year

John Lackey 7.36 2011

Jerry Casale 6.89 1960

Matt Clement 6.61 2006

Al Papai 6.57 1950

Billy Muffett 6.54 1961

>>With 2 weeks remaining

In fact, if his season ended right now, Lackey would have the second highest ERA in franchise history for a pitcher with at least 50 innings pitched. In 1937, Wes Ferrell had a 7.61 ERA for the Red Sox before he was traded to the Washington Senators along with his brother Rick. Ferrell salvaged his season by going 11-13 with a 3.94 ERA for Washington, but his Red Sox numbers stand out for their futility.

 

So what’s gone wrong with Lackey this season? There’s no single pitch that has abandoned him. He hasn’t suffered a severe loss of control. There’s isn’t a particular split betraying him.

 

Rather, it appears to be several issues stacked upon each other.

 

Here are some that stand out:

 

• Opponents are hitting .291 against Lackey, which isn’t a huge spike from the .277 of 2010. However, it’s a different story with runners in scoring position. Opponents are hitting .324 with RISP, which ranks 110th out of 121 qualifying starters. Compare that to .256 in 2010 and .250 in 2009.

 

• Lackey has really struggled when falling behind in the count. Opponents are hitting .386 after a first-pitch ball. The MLB average is .270. Compare that to after an 0-1 count. Opponents are hitting just .202 against Lackey, well below the .221 MLB average.

 

• Though not one of his primary pitches (he throws it just 4.7 percent of the time), Lackey’s changeup has been completely ineffective. On at-bats ending with that pitch, opponents are hitting .538 (small sample size alert: 13 at-bats). In each of the last two years, that was below .240.

 

• In his first time through the order, opponents are hitting just .231. But once a batter has seen Lackey once, it’s a different story. Opponents are hitting .325 after their first plate appearance against him.

 

• Lackey gets himself in trouble going into the heart of the order. Opposing leadoff hitters have a .541 on-base percentage, the highest against any starting pitcher in the majors.

[a700hitter]

It really is impossible to defend lackey's performance to this point in the season- nearly the half way point. His first half has been so bad that it is difficult to be optimistic about his second half.

[redsoxbeatz]

Why did we sign him again?? He even looks like a loser out there on the mound. Gosh, what a mistake.

 

He has 1 more year on his contract? I am so curious to see what this team looks likes it not one but two years from now. Who will hold those #4 & #5 SP positions? Clearly Beckett has it in him to keep going strong and we all know Lester and Buch can be stellar (and they will be, though probably not Halladay/Lee good.) But I wonder if Miller is going to be our #4? I wonder who we will acquire or bring up. A rookie/youngin' needs to step up or we need another good deal if we want anymore Championships. I can't wait to see Kalish and Iglesias to get the permanent call-up to the ML, too.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Why does this have to be on ESPN? Please just no blowout.

[RedSox_Ruszkowski]

i have no faith in lackey, but i'm optimistic on the simple fact that we CAN'T keep slumping like this.... usually we own the NL, but the back end of our lineup is killing us.... Lackey needs to pull off what Lee did last night for us to have a chance...

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

The last time the Phillies beat us in a home series is 2003.

[FredLynn]

Why did we sign him again?? He even looks like a loser out there on the mound. Gosh, what a mistake.

 

He has 1 more year on his contract? I am so curious to see what this team looks likes it not one but two years from now. Who will hold those #4 & #5 SP positions? Clearly Beckett has it in him to keep going strong and we all know Lester and Buch can be stellar (and they will be, though probably not Halladay/Lee good.) But I wonder if Miller is going to be our #4? I wonder who we will acquire or bring up. A rookie/youngin' needs to step up or we need another good deal if we want anymore Championships. I can't wait to see Kalish and Iglesias to get the permanent call-up to the ML, too.

 

He is signed through 2014:

 

John Lackey rhp

5 years/$82.5M (2010-14), plus conditional 2015 option

5 years/$82.5M (2010-14), plus conditional 2015 option

 

signed by Boston as a free agent 12/16/09

$3.5M signing bonus

 

10:$18M, 11:$15.25M, 12:$15.25M, 13:$15.25M, 14:$15.25M

2015 club option at Major League minimum salary if Lackey misses significant time with surgery for pre-existing elbow injury in 2010-14

$0.5M assignment bonus if traded

 

award bonuses: $0.5M for MVP ($0.1M for 2nd-5th in vote); $0.1M for WS MVP; $75,000 for LCS MVP; $50,000 each for All Star, Gold Glove

 

perks: suite on road, right to buy 6 premium seats for home games

 

3 years/$17.01M (2006-08), plus 2009 club option

 

signed extension with Angels 4/06, replacing 1 year/$3.76M deal signed 1/06 (avoided arbitration)

 

$1M signing bonus

06:$3.01M, 07:$5.5M, 08:$7M, 09:$9M club option ($0.5M buyout)

 

2009 option may increase to $10.5M based on 2007 & 2008 Cy Young vote

award bonus: $50,000 for All Star selection, $75,000 for 3rd place in 2007 Cy Young vote

2009 option increased to $10M for 3rd place in 2007 Cy Young vote

 

LA Angels exercised 2009 option 10/28/08

 

1 year/$0.44M (2005), re-signed 2/05

 

1 year/$0.375M (2004), re-signed 3 /04

1 year/$0.315M (2003)

drafted by Anaheim 1999 (2-68) (Grayson County College, Texas)

 

agent: Steve Hilliard, Octagon

 

ML service: 8.095

[BigPapiEnFuego]

There isn't enough lube in A-Rod's estate that could save us from the butthurt we are about to experience tonight

[msubulldogs21]

I think it should be fitting for someone that actually has had faith in John Lackey to start this gamethread

 

Well in that case we might need to get his mom to register on Talksox, and even then I'm not sure she would qualify at this point.

[Palodios]

Well in that case we might need to get his mom to register on Talksox' date=' and even then I'm not sure she would qualify at this point.[/quote']

 

When have you ever heard me say anything bad about Lackey? Well... besides one or two gamethreads, but those don't count.

[VA Sox Fan]

RED SOX (45-33)

Jacoby Ellsbury CF

Dustin Pedroia 2B

Adrian Gonzalez RF

Kevin Youkilis 3B

David Ortiz 1B

Jarrod Saltalamacchia C

Josh Reddick LF

Marco Scutaro SS

John Lackey RHP (5-6, 7.36)

[a700hitter]

Yea! 5 hitters tonight!!!

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Best lineup yet.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

There isn't enough lube in A-Rod's estate that could save us from the butthurt we are about to experience tonight

 

[Cocos Disciples]

For a June game, this is pretty big.

[iortiz]

RED SOX (45-33)

Jacoby Ellsbury CF

Dustin Pedroia 2B

Adrian Gonzalez RF

Kevin Youkilis 3B

David Ortiz 1B

Jarrod Saltalamacchia C

Josh Reddick LF

Marco Scutaro SS

John Lackey RHP (5-6, 7.36)

 

This is what i'm talking about, if we had started this way/kinda since PiTT series, i wouldn't have bothered accept last loses.

 

Now the question is, who will have a better performance, A-God (RF) or Lackey? (Errors vs Runs game.)

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

Did you guys hear Lackey might need TJS?

[FredLynn]

Did you guys hear Lackey might need TJS?

 

Gammons said it in the form of a question. Unless he has access to Lackey's medical records, he is just winging it.

[RedSoxfanforlife305]

I'm trying to get everyones hopes up haha.

[msubulldogs21]

When have you ever heard me say anything bad about Lackey? Well... besides one or two gamethreads' date=' but those don't count.[/quote']

 

I haven't. The point was Lackey has been so abysmal it's hard for anyone to have faith in him at this point.

[WhiskeyBreath]

Best lineup yet.

 

If I hear one person bitch about the lineup tonight...

[Flynnatic10]

WIN!

[boston22407]

Go Redsox!

WIN!

[BornToRun]

I have faith in you John, get 'er done.

[Thunder]

This is the best possible lineup. No Drew, no Cameron, no McDonald. The only flaw is Salty. I'd rather have Tek behind the plate.

[d-money]

Win!!!!!!Have to start winning games

[Thunder]

Here we go!

Good luck, let's win.

[BornToRun]

I'm pumped, we're winning this game.

[Thunder]

I'm pumped' date=' we're winning this game.[/quote']

 

 

That's what you said last night.