Has the "real" Jon Lester returned?

[Behindenemylines]

a) Agree 100% with the first statement.

If Salty has improved and is working hard with the pitchers on their game plans etc., I have no idea why he couldn't be part of the pitching improvement too.

 

Intangibles are intangibles. The only thing we know is the numbers. The rest is speculation.

 

I'll take the April and May Lester in September and October. It may be needed more then we think because we don't know what we will get out of Buchholtz. I think much like the Sox winning has been a team effort the improved SP is a team effort with both the coaching staff and Salty getting some of the credit. Plus the pitchers still have to throw the ball so a lot is on them. I'll take the SP we got on the west coast trip for the rest of the season.

[FredLynn]

The coaching staff has done well - just by not being run by insane people.

 

Lester has receded into what he is - just a solid, durable guy. Last couple of starts mojo has been better, although I'd be more bullish on the LA start than the SF one (3 strikeouts against a poor offense). Also remember, two good starts in two good pitchers parks.

 

Lester's not the team's best starter - but he is the most reliable.

 

Lester's ERA from April 24 to Aug 2 was 5.18-thats over three months. The rest of the time he has been excellent. I would not call him "reliable"; I think he has been inconsistent, though his overall body of work this year has been good.

[User Name]

"Reliable" is someone who takes the bump every five days and provides innings, regardless of results. That is the textbook definition of who Jon Lester is.

[Thunder]

"Reliable" is someone who takes the bump every five days and provides innings, regardless of results. That is the textbook definition of who Jon Lester is.

 

Great post. I completely agree with you. Overall, he's had a good, almost great year.