Red Sox Playoff Pitching Rotation

It's kind of weird if you think about it. Way back when you looked at the Red Sox schedule back in the cold winter months. And yet not all haw haw all. Week left in the regular season -- go to Yankee Stadium yet that it was going to be a huge deal as it turns out. It's basically meaningless. You will clinch a wild card spot at some point it may happen this weekend the way. Texas is -- you have little individual things that you care about you know really care about the games at all at least. I find myself being totally uninterested in Red Sox yankees baseball and I've never would've thought that possible. I wanna see how Daisuke throws and I'm curious to see that that continues. I have no interest in seeing Paul Byrd pitch accounts he yankees on Sunday. You know you're gonna fair point you're gonna rest guys you're gonna you're gonna have guys sit down here in there -- beginning the process of while rounding your rotation in the form and -- Sean McCadam reports in today's Boston Herald. According to several sources within the Red Sox clubhouse it's Jon Lester who will get the start game one of the AL BS. In Los Angeles against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim which. -- be surprising to some people including me because I spent yesterday saying -- but they're gonna -- games on record and I apparently was wrong.

Well. I think you're wrong because of of a simple thing. Jon Lester this year has been a better pitcher than. Josh Beckett has been now Josh Beckett turns into the guy he was in 2007 is just the bonus. For the Red Sox that means you got two guys were able to deal.

By the way and the last night you might have three. I mean he's on the run here that's very Beckett and Lester like Clay Buchholz. Has had while they've now won his last eight starts and he's been dealing through.

Yeah but I don't know. If I'm gonna put him on that level yet I don't know what he's gonna do in the post season and I'm still I agree I'm the last guy probably in New England who thinks that that Curtis Mayfield Matsuzaka. Should be the game three starter instead of five -- buckled but. I know that's not gonna happen but as far as Lester he's been consistent. -- he has started big games -- Dick big games before he started the AL DS last year. When Beckett got her so why -- put him out there for game like I hope they don't want it for that reason -- has nothing to do with the catching situation.

I don't think and it doesn't I don't say that I don't think that's a good reason now I will say -- ancillary point here. It probably helps the Red Sox in that regard and there's there was some talk in -- speaks about. Theoretically you could pitch Lester on three days' rest in game four if you had to. Which means Beckett could pitch game five I don't see Terry Francona do route aren't either I don't think he would he would evens -- down that -- As an ancillary benefit to this thing and we talked about Varitek and you know may be catching game one but he wouldn't catch a decisive game five. I think can catch Josh Beckett. I think you'll catch game two and that's the one game behind the plate you'll see Varitek in this series. While one game. Because of because of the relationship Rebecca just because of all things are equal you'd rather have Beckett -- while there is comfortable as he can. And and you have enough I think you have enough confidence in your lineup. Especially if -- is dealing. That you know you're going to be able to scratch out an -- to give Josh Beckett some room.

The only thing that. And and that is why am sitting here talking review instead of with this one of the reasons one of the many reasons and you're talking with you instead of being in the manager's office at Fenway Park. But the only way I would start. Varitek and game -- you. Is -- Josh Beckett came to me and said. If it is not gonna have to say I'm not comfortable throwing to Victor Martinez -- more comfortable with Jason graphic. He would have economy and say I hate throwing to Victor Martinez I despise. And I would tell you that behind closed doors I'm not trying to -- and I'll never go to the media and say this I can't stand thrown to the guy I hated it drives me rates. Sure of that. A Victor Martinez is going to be out there are.

The I I I just think that that. I'm not sure that they wanna have. Victor Martinez or anybody catch every game of the playoffs I I think that. For one thing is is offensive numbers are better when he's playing first base than -- than when he's catching that's offset by the fact. But the Red Sox lineup is better when he sketching them when he's playing first base. The way this thing apparently will lay out and back it's gonna pitched just one game in the Yale the -- it's kind of an opportunity to make Beckett as comfortable as he can be. Leave Varitek is some portion of this team not have to catch Martinez you know every single game at least early on. I think it a lot of ways it makes sense and and with Beckett now going apparently in game two it just kind of falls into place here.

is interesting though it's such -- and it's but wouldn't go so far to say it's a changing of the guard. You know that that Beckett has been demoted it what intelligence that -- now hasn't people in their eyes and we've we've said it before. We've we've said one and one day we said one to. With Beckett being the one up and -- being -- now it's clear. There they are they are equals absolutely equals and if you really wanna rested in the regular season this year at least. Lester is better.

Well the other thing keep in mind is that they had an opportunity to see Lester in this position a year ago not because they wanted to. But because of Beckett got hurt he got hurt warming up before the last game and all that stuff so Lester had a do. The opening of the series thing and oh by the way he was great a year ago. He lucky there's no doubt he's been there more consistent pitcher from like may first on he and and Mick Adams got all the numbers in The Herald.

He's been dad are you talked about yesterday -- that's I was saying. Wit with that even though Jon Lester has bad numbers against angels the regular season in his career. You know two of those stars came in 2006. Another start came in 2007. And so we got three of those four stars know starts this year up versus the angels in the regular season. One start last year. So three of those of those four -- start 75% of his starts came before he was Jon Lester. The Jon Lester that would that we're looking at today saying he's he is the best pitcher on the Red Sox. So I don't think they factored those numbers and they probably let that his numbers from last year. Regular season and playoffs and look at his numbers Lester is numbers against everybody else this year and said. He can do the job.

Well it'll be interesting how it all plays out because. And and I know we've kind of half joked around about who's the number three starter on this team. There's no doubt in my mind who he has. And and it even if if Daisuke is dazzling. The rest of the regular season I don't think he can be as dazzling as Buchholz has been over the last month and half two months but tomorrow. Lots I'm July and watch it. Don't be so sure he's been really good and and and just continues to go out there and and and just. Confound people. It's it's one of the reasons why I'm I'm kind of falling into line with some other people on this that. I'm thinking more and more that the Red -- terrain forced the reckoned with in the upcoming playoffs because not only do they have. You know the one in two pitchers that every championship team has to have ultimately I think. I think they're 123. It it may be as good as there is in baseball Conant of these while it's the way they're pitching. The way they line up. I'm not sure that there's another team that can go 3-D it to the same degree the Red Sox to.

Well listen I know there's another team that can match their bullpen. And that's the Yankees. Soviet if you -- a breakdown the staff's. Bullpen versus bullpen I think is about a wash. The Yankees are very strong there. Rotation. One versus one sabathia versus Lester.

I mean you probably give the -- SEC there -- probably. Beckett -- by the way if it is but it -- CC against -- A lot. But you still get the -- slight edge very slight edge career number body of work up a whole thing up yeah. If you go. Beckett versus. Chamberlain Beckett Britain's Beckett -- versus pat it Beckenbauer is. Beckett versus Burnett back. I agree. On colts against. -- it. Buckles I don't know dale while while really yup you'll give buckles. Who has done a Beirut that I both ends and I understand I'm looking at other work and right now you would give him you would give him the advantage over and even.

Can't go there. I can't go there I they get it will be very difficult on I think you know I'm not just saying this that has said it last week or two weeks ago. When we had a caller jumping all over Andy Pettitte. -- you can Eddie padded some numbers in the post season. You can't say anything critical about just can't and and the guy has.

I am I have nothing bad to say about it yes I mean he has. When when I say that it it is much more of an indication of how I think Clay Buchholz is pitching right now what you have right now I mean he has liked is that's -- I care about what but don't.

But he's pitching right now in the regular season against teams that aren't going anywhere. -- start last night -- start against Kansas City well I'm glad that he had a good start but. It's against Kansas city's had good start against Baltimore going nowhere has he's had good starts against Toronto going nowhere so good starts against Chicago going nowhere. Is this a completely different bought I do wanna see him and I'm I'm a little nervous about it I have no idea what he's gonna do against the angels. If they get by the angels in the Yankees get by the tigers. What he's gonna do when when the lights are bright. And and in the team is counting on him in the post season and this has been great for him and he can only do what. What's in front of them but I I have no illusions about. Clay Buchholz as the post season pitcher because there's there's nothing there there's nothing there to give me confidence that they can do the job.

Andy Pettitte a month of September 17 innings five point 29 ERA. And and I don't have Buchholz has numbers here probably the better I'll tell her I know there really good and their really good going back really August. He's gone he's gone eight consecutive starts now a body as good as you yet.

Now if you wanna say. Dice dice baby against Andy Pettitte a little more of an argument. That's why that's why I'm still stick with Daisuke Dice-K. The guy has proven that he's healthy.

I have to admit I'm a little surprised that. That if if I said okay eight -- but colts matchup will be alike you'd take pat but it by setting patted Daisuke match up would be like --

On arms -- it's more of an argument at least it's a little closer because Daisuke at least has pitched in the post season. Of the last two years I know out especially well -- it but he got it and what he's done it out any and actually not always great. What is it kept his team in games in some very big games. Me ALCS versus Tampa last year game one of our dazzling okay he was -- Our game seven the -- game seven ALCS 2007 against the Indians he wasn't great Jake Westbrook wasn't great right you know it's a close game. And then it kind of blows up in the end in the Red Sox run away with it. I started game two. -- DS 2007 versus the angels. And they keep mashed up with Kelvim Escobar. I'm -- one of those guys were Great Neck game and then Manny wins it with the HUH powered home run. And in. Everybody goes home happy but he's done it in the post season columns and -- buckles that now. Maybe buckled goes out these any any proves that he's one of the great kid. Post season pitchers that we've seen in the last ten or fifteen years maybe -- don't know.

The last sub par performance from Clay Buchholz. Was August 7. That was the game where member Tito went -- and took him out after four and two thirds innings wouldn't let him get through the fifth. Red Sox ended up holding off Baltimore eighteen to ten. He had -- he had -- a performance on August 24 against the white -- the White Sox that wasn't great. Month of September. For an all one point 380 RA. As I said it really goes back further that but the month of September. He's been something and and I understand you can only you know. You get to play Kansas City he's pitched twice against Baltimore is also pitched twice against Tampa Bay. Back when Tampa Bay had already well -- they were still in this thing and he did great against that lineup is well. I just I think Buchholz gives them. He might be the best number three starter in baseball right now and I know you disagree with that but I think he might be I don't know I don't know I don't I don't disagree with that I mean. While it wouldn't take him against the Yankees number three now.

in the playoffs right you said right now right now in the regular season short but.

We know things change.

Things change in the post season and I don't know how do you respond to that I have no idea. He might embraces you might be looking for what he might be dreaming about it loving it all man I can't wait until I get the ball.

I'd be scared to death I don't know.

Each week the Massachusetts state lottery brings you inside the numbers in producing the New England Patriots instant game play to win million dollar prizes. VIP game tickets are patriots season tickets for like pick one up today. I love this the falcons are gonna make their first appearance at Gillette Stadium this weekend. They become the thirtieth different opponent to travel to the patriots facility for a regular season or playoff game not counting pre season here. The patriots pulled an all time record of 25 and four against first time visitors to Gillette Stadium. They've won 21. Of the last 22 games against teams making their first appearance here. Following this week's game there's only one team left that has not yet appeared at Gillette Stadium -- regular season or playoff game they did appear once in a pre.

Season game here so there's a team that has never been here in the regular season or playoffs I think I know -- thing that is our right.

Philadelphia -- they've been here in a regular season. Yes really the only one they'd hit play here -- pre season that was a key him for the giants Carolina. Knives that -- Carolina alliance is the only eighteen remaining after this Sunday. That has never appeared in a regular season playoff game here to. Philadelphia here. That book right from it would allow -- 2007. Of course dominant without remembrance on this and yoga beginners of -- to -- 6177790850. Toll free 8885250850. If you do have a Verizon's cellphone and -- pound WEEI. Free call for all of you guys savior emails until next week -- were down here to -- stadium. We'll take a very quick break we'll get an update will dance right into the call with you coming up next. If dale -- on a patriots Friday Sports Radio WEEI.