Inside Pitch - Jon Lester

Josh Beckett has been scratched so Michael Bolden takes the ball in his place this is the Herb Chambers land Rivers liberate pre game show. Beckett is suffering from mild back spasms so -- will make his first start of the season. In six games out of the planned Bolden has yet to record a decision while pitching to when he airing your eight. Vote last pitched on Friday going to a third at New York. Right hander Scott Richmond starts for Toronto we seven intend this year with a -- area of 532. Richmond beat the Orioles in his last start but that's -- nine game winless streak over what she went oh and six with a -- array overrated. Time now for the inside pitch which is brought to you by Harvard pilgrim health scare the learn more about Harvard Pilgrim Health Care visit Harvard program not award. Here's Jon Lester with Joe Castiglione.

When January out -- to -- bullpen today yeah how did everything go and I just feel.

I felt fine everything going good no problems with the knee. You know I'd think but that being said I think everything will be you know line for Thursday hopefully.

He set a collective -- through New England when that ball hit off the Hampshire course you where they get about that because it was so painful but. He was something that I think -- had all of us are really --

fireworks going on -- about it you know obviously when I hit it. And hurt and the only time he has some like that he -- you know season's done but. You know luckily it hit good part of if there is a good part of your leg foot and a good -- in. There's no structural damage in and everything will be fine and -- I guess and hopefully. The blue -- line for Thursday and and you know keep you going forward to while serving --

How about -- do you look at Thursday is that. A regular starter you'd have a little bit of a different approach because of what lies ahead.

to -- and compete try to win. It's. -- season you know and don't. Take any starts offer. Or try to go. You know half speed just because -- you know it's my first starter last start of the season you know it's it's still important to me is still -- and this team and you know obviously I wanna go out there and prove to myself that. There's no ill effects from from -- fallen and you know mentally and physically so. It was rather compete in and hopefully when new game and and you know anything kind of shut down phenomenal break -- and go from there.

and they you really yet turned it on since may you know a lot of people around baseball a lot. -- highly respected people that I would you -- the ultimate power left hander in. And you don't try to pay too much attention of those things but then you we've really receive some compliments from some people that are very influential.

That's just a testament to the to a hard work that. That not only knowing that I put into this team puts in you know without. Without these guys you wouldn't get the recognition of in good pitcher good that are good players so. You know it's it's it's an honor to be considered that you know hopefully I can. Work on some things that that I feel there are weaknesses right now and and get better and and hopefully. Be able to hook to. To earn that that title for a long time.

We really seem to sustain the velocity year which is increased this since we first saw you in that. Is that a matter physical maturity more than anything -- just being healthy here.

I think both you know grown up. You know past two years physically and you know I've grown up within my mechanics as well you know is not a lot of wasted movement. Wasted energy. You know I think I'm more Freeney Z in my delivery I'm not. Grind and as much as I used to be so. You know I think there's a lot of things that attribute to a but I think you know get in the weight room and and making sure my body's physically ready to pitch every five days is is definitely. You know definitely positive and and and that aspect.

And your command of your off speed stuff to -- has really. In something that this seems to have matured over the last couple years.

That meant that same thing that's you know been stronger Ginn. More confident within yourself as far as mentally and physically and you know being able to repeat your mechanics every bit helps you stay consistent with. With not just your fastball put your other pitches so. You know like I said though there's there's still some work to be done in and some refinement to be done so hopefully we can continue to. To keep going now weighing in better.

While we can stake in the post season that. It's certainly right there to start either wanted to either way uses.

Quite an honor Alia. You know last year who's obviously in -- for game one even though. You know -- was hurt you know this kind of by default but. You know I'd I've always said it doesn't matter to me it is -- matter -- opening day it's an honor to do it but. You know I think every one of our five or six pitchers is considered a number 1 am on this in this team's mind so. You know what it's like I said it's an honor it's cool -- all the festivities -- and you know it's it's game one means a lot but. You know just to be able to pitch in the playoffs. Whether it's game one -- game. Four game that you know whatever it is you it's an on this in the playoffs since a lot of fun and and all different take -- front.

It's a lot of fun to watch your pitches your job hopefully willow watches several more times this season thanks for joining -- thank you. Jon Lester I guess back to generation.

Thank you jolt some guests of Red Sox radio receiving gift certificate from blue cheer restaurant and bar. Located at 415 Hanover street in the North End and now open at eleven Mount Vernon street in Winchester as well. Will move around the major leagues at the moment this is there Herb Chambers Landry ever summary pregame show on the WEEI Red Sox radio network.