The Ideal Sox Rotation for the ALCS

by MatthewRI on Oct 8, 2008 9:56 AM EDT

This afternoon, the Red Sox are announcing the framework of their rotation for the ALCS.

Here's my hope for our rotation:

Game1@TB - Beckett
Game2@TB - Lester
*Day Off
Game3@BO - Dice-K
Game4@BO - Wake/Byrd
*Day Off
Game5@BO - Lester
*Day Off
Game6@TB - Beckett
Game7@TB - Dice K

This rotation gives us 2 Beckett and Lester starts each and also put Lester on the mound at Fenway in the pivotal game 5.

What are your thoughts?

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Comments

I hope you are right

only because I know if Tito has Beckett pitch game 1 he knows he is healthy. Healthy Beckett = trip to postseason

by drabidea on Oct 8, 2008 10:51 AM EDT reply actions

You are already in the postseason.

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

by Sandy Kazmir on Oct 8, 2008 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

This Just In

Actual Rotation

Fri: AWAY Dice-K
Sat: AWAY Beckett
Sun:
Mon: HOME Lester
Tue: HOME Wakefield
Wed: *Only first four games confirmed
Thur: HOME Dice-K
Fri:
Sat: AWAY Beckett
Sun: AWAY Lester

I don’t see how this is the best way to set up our rotation. Under these conditions, Lester, our best pitcher at this point, may only start one game. His last start was on monday, so he should be rested enough to pitch game 2 on Saturday in Tampa, and then again in game 5 on Thursday at home.
Thoughts?

by Schulz on Oct 8, 2008 1:08 PM EDT reply actions

Not happy

I agree Schulz.

Lester should be starting games 2 & 5.

Very disappointing.

by MatthewRI on Oct 8, 2008 1:30 PM EDT reply actions

My thinking is that Tito is going for the split in Tampa by giving away game 1

but having Beckett for 2. He’s then banking on Lester to be shutdown at home and try to steal one of the next two. This means if you do come back to Tampa down 3-2 you still have your 2 best in potential elimination or clincher games. I was a little surprised at first but I think this makes sense as neither team is likely to sweep.

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.

by Sandy Kazmir on Oct 8, 2008 2:56 PM EDT reply actions

I can understand wanting Lester for Game 7

But I feel like Beckett would be a better choice..Am I wrong? I mean, if it gets to game 7, wouldn’t we want our most experienced and successful postseason pitcher taking the hill? I’m not saying Lester is a bad choice, far from it. I just think that this Sox team is anchored by veterans, and putting that much pressure on someone who’s technically in his first full year could end up badly.

A-Rod drinks wine coolers and Jeter wears lipstick.

by pedroiastroika on Oct 8, 2008 3:10 PM EDT reply actions

Update

I just checked out Tampa’s ALCS rotation. Here’s how we match up:

Fri: TB Dice-K / Shields
Sat: TB Beckett / Kazmir
Sun:
Mon: BOS Lester / Garza
Tue: BOS Wakefield / Sonnanstine
Wed:
Thur: BOS Dice-K / Shields
Fri:
Sat: TB Beckett / Kazmir
Sun: TB Lester / Garza

That’s assuming both teams stick to the rotation they set for the first four games. I predict the Sox split the first 2 in tampa, as long as Beckett can bring is A-game. The Lester vs. Garza match-up plays in our favor. I think we will then split the next two home games, giving us a 3-2 lead as we go back to Tampa. This looks like it will be a good series, and I could easily see it going to game seven.

by Schulz on Oct 8, 2008 3:17 PM EDT reply actions

I like our chances against Garza and Sonnanstine, but both Kazmir and Shields are tough. Both teams have good pitching. I feel like this is going to be a nail-biter of a series.

"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.

by SoxDevil on Oct 8, 2008 5:11 PM EDT reply actions