Opening Day Starter

[cljunior]

Is Lester still considered #1 in the org, even after Beckett's impressive 2011? I think Beckett regained the ace tag during 2011, but who will should start on opening day in your opinion?

[Deebs]

Is Lester still considered #1 in the org' date=' even after Beckett's impressive 2011? I think Beckett regained the ace tag during 2011, but who will should start on opening day in your opinion?[/quote']

 

Interesting question.

 

I'm not sure Beckett deserves the honor of getting the ball on Opening Day after his behavior last season.

 

There's still a long time before Opening Day, but as of now, I'd give it to Lester.

[a700hitter]

I think the Sox had only a .500 record in Lester's starts.

[cljunior]

Interesting question.

 

I'm not sure Beckett deserves the honor of getting the ball on Opening Day after his behavior last season.

 

There's still a long time before Opening Day, but as of now, I'd give it to Lester.

Are you referring to the fried chicken and beer? Or more the attitude.

 

I thought Lester was involved in the eating and drinking as well .... Sadly.

[Flynnatic10]

I'd give it to Lester. It seems like Beckett had bad seasons during even years and great seasons in the odd years.

[BigPapiEnFuego]

I can't believe there was a time in my life that I watched David Wells make an opening day start for the sox

[mvp 78]

1. Lester

2. Buch

3. Becks

4. Harden

5. Bard

[Station 13]

Lester start.

[MANNYHOF24]

1. Lester

2. Buch

3. Becks

4. Harden

5. Bard

 

There is no way that Buchholz should or will start in front of Beckett.

[Station 13]

There is no way that Buchholz should or will start in front of Beckett.

 

No.

 

mvp listed Harden, that's an interesting name that gone under the radar. he certainly is a good back end option over Saunders, Aceves, Doubront.

[FredLynn]

There is no way that Buchholz should or will start in front of Beckett.

 

This rotation must be decided in spring training. Whoever is the most effective pitcher gets the ball on opening day. No more of the "good 'ol boy network" where past achievements are emphasized over current performance.

[VA Sox Fan]

This rotation must be decided in spring training. Whoever is the most effective pitcher gets the ball on opening day. No more of the "good 'ol boy network" where past achievements are emphasized over current performance.

 

I agree. But think Josh will be ready and able. We'll see.

 

I know one thing. CANNOT WAIT!!

[a700hitter]

No.

 

mvp listed Harden, that's an interesting name that gone under the radar. he certainly is a good back end option over Saunders, Aceves, Doubront.

Theo, in a genius of a move, canceled a Harden for Lars Anderson trade at the trading deadline due to concerns regarding his medical records. He could have come in handy down the stretch as we kept rolling Wakefield and other assorted garbage to the mound. I don't know what he could have been thinking.:dunno:

[jacksonianmarch]

He was concerned about Harden, but not concerned about Bedard. Bit him in the ass in the end

[Spudboy]

I can't believe there was a time in my life that I watched David Wells make an opening day start for the sox

 

Wait! What do you have against fat guys?

[darylharris24]

I'm so tired of hearing about the chicken and beer situation, and then people talking about it should take part in a decision about who should start opening day is rediculous. It happens on every team, the sox just got caught. But in my opinion give the start to lefty.

[suj11]

Regardless of who starts, the Boston Red Sox are going to be among the game’s most potent lineups in 2012.

[FredLynn]

Regardless of who starts' date=' the Boston Red Sox are going to be among the game’s most potent lineups in 2012.[/quote']

 

Put another way, given the Red Sox pitching problems, unfixed to date, whoever they play will also have one of the game's most potent lineups.

[User Name]

As of right now, the Red Sox pitching is middling, not a disaster.

[FredLynn]

As of right now' date=' the Red Sox pitching is middling, not a disaster.[/quote']

 

Thats fair. Its also fair to say that "middling" is not good enough for a ring.

And that good pitching will not come cheaply.

[User Name]

Thats fair. Its also fair to say that "middling" is not good enough for a ring.

And that good pitching will not come cheaply.

 

One starter and a couple bullpen arms panning out, and the Sox are in the playoffs. After that, it's a crapshoot.

 

Look at the Cards last year. They didn't even have the best pitching in their division, let alone league, but they got hot at the right time, and the rest is history.

[FredLynn]

One starter and a couple bullpen arms panning out, and the Sox are in the playoffs. After that, it's a crapshoot.

 

Look at the Cards last year. They didn't even have the best pitching in their division, let alone league, but they got hot at the right time, and the rest is history.

 

The fact of the matter is that its tough to win with pitching that is "meddling", or mediocre. Its a hell of a lot easier with great pitching and a little timely hitting than trying to bash your way to a ring.

Another fact is that the owners are very reluctant to buy the kind of pitching that will put us over the top.

That combination does not bode well for this season.

[a700hitter]

He was concerned about Harden' date=' but not concerned about Bedard. Bit him in the ass in the end[/quote']He could have had them both if he was willing to part with Lars. What an idiot. Lars has about as much value as a Wally the Green Monster doll.

[RedSoxFan84]

Everywhere I look for a Boston depth chart, some of them have Beckett listed above Lester, and some are the opposite. I've been trying to compare the two in my own mind and can't make a decision, but after reading this thread, I'm glad to see that it's not just me who can't make their mind up. I agree with the statement that the start/#1 tag should go to whoever earns it leading up to the season.

[redsoxfan3]

Everywhere I look for a Boston depth chart' date=' some of them have Beckett listed above Lester, and some are the opposite. I've been trying to compare the two in my own mind and can't make a decision, but after reading this thread, I'm glad to see that it's not just me who can't make their mind up. I agree with the statement that the start/#1 tag should go to whoever earns it leading up to the season.[/quote']

 

This should be the least of our worries now. We don't have a clear ace. In my opinion, we have Lester and Beckett who are both #2's. It will be decided in the Spring. Our focus now should be on actually acquiring a pitcher. I do agree in saying that it will be a tough decision. Lester probably ends up starting for us on opening day, if I had to guess.

[SoxSport]

He could have had them both if he was willing to part with Lars. What an idiot. Lars has about as much value as a Wally the Green Monster doll.

 

 

Harden is still out there. But they are only giving out minor league contracts to pick their 4 and 5 starters. Sounds a bit silly for such an expensive team.

 

Henry needs to lighten up and give Benny some spending money. Maybe's he waiting for another good trade.

[User Name]

Didn't you just say in another thread that you read the Sox have around 5-6 mill to spend? That would be enough for Harden and a BP arm, which would make it a successful off-season IMO.

[cljunior]

As of right now' date=' the Red Sox pitching is middling, not a disaster.[/quote']

 

That's exactly what I thought at the start of last year, boy did that change quickly!

[Muggah]

This should be the least of our worries now. We don't have a clear ace. In my opinion' date=' we have Lester and Beckett who are both #2's. It will be decided in the Spring. Our focus now should be on actually acquiring a pitcher. I do agree in saying that it will be a tough decision. Lester probably ends up starting for us on opening day, if I had to guess.[/quote']

 

IMO, it doesn't much matter (Lester or Beckett) who starts the opener in DET. But rest assured there's no way hell they have Beckett pitch the home opener. He'll be booed off the field, and that's not the way they want to open their 100th anniversary festivities.

[ForeverYoung]

1. Lester

2. Beckett

3. Buchholz

4. Aceves

5. Miller

 

Still don't think Bard makes the starting rotation over Aceves, He goes back into the setup role for Bailey. Andrew Miller makes a stunning recovery in Spring Training and learns how to be a reliable pitcher and moves Aceves into the 5th spot by the end of the year.