Matsuzaka, Buchholz in prime form
by Randy Booth on Mar 16, 2009 12:22 AM EDT
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23 comments
The Red Sox had a pair of ace hurlers today as Clay Buchholz handled the Orioles well today and Daisuke Matsuzaka baffled Cuban batters.
While the Red Sox did lose 6-2 to the Orioles, it wasn't Buchholz's fault. He went 3.2 innings while striking out six batters and allowing just one run and two walks. While Tim Wakefield struggles this spring, Buchholz is making a name for himself with some very solid outings. His ERA sits at 1.04 this spring.
In San Diego, Dice-K was absolutely marvelous in his outing against Cuba. In six innings of work (86 pitches), he struck out eight, allowed just five hits, no runs and walked none. Yes, I said Dice-K walked ZERO BATTERS.
Now I am sure you're wondering something: when was the last time Dice-K pitched at least six innings and didn't walk a single batter? That would be April 1, 2008 against the Oakland A's. He worked 6.2 innings, struck out nine and walked none.
This is the Dice-K we know and love and expect. He was on today. You might be able to blame the aggressive Cuban hitters, but you have to be a great pitcher to do this to such a good team. Dice-K did his job as well as I've seen him do it in two years as a Red Sox.
As for Buchholz, this is great for the Red Sox. It looks like Buchholz is finally over the mental hurdles that effected him last season. Speaking of expectations, this is the Buchholz we've expected for two years now. He's hitting his stride and I don't think Triple-A will keep him down for long this season.
If we look at the Sox starters so far this spring, there's no reason to be anything but excited. Buchholz, Matsuzaka, Josh Beckett and Jon Lester have all been really good. Wakefield is a question mark, but we still have to see what Brad Penny can offer us. The rotation still looks like a strong asset right now.
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looks like four aces to me. if buckholz lives up to his billing
by geronamo on Mar 16, 2009 5:16 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
So does that mean . . .
we should beat any team that doesn’t have a straight in its rotation?
by lone1c on Mar 16, 2009 6:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We wouldn't be playing with a full deck.
It would be overloaded.
Well, I'll appreciate for you to keep my zingers outta your mouth!
by BoSox415 on Mar 16, 2009 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, a line up with 5 aces would definitely be loaded :)
by Realistic on Mar 17, 2009 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
four aces is hardly a gamble…
anybody place that quote?
Homer: Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try.
by DougieWentDeep on Mar 17, 2009 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dice-K looks sharp
He’s throwing lots of strikes and staying ahead in the count… we can only hope this is how he will pitch for the Sox.
Bottom Line: It’s great to see him pitching well, but he was SOOOOOO frustratinig to watch last year.
by bottomlinesox on Mar 16, 2009 9:41 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
What kind of baseball do they use in the WBC?
Anyone know?
Manny ain't the only bad man.
by tommy.otm on Mar 16, 2009 11:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I have been wondering the same thing.
I remember he had a tough time adjusting to the MLB baseball as apposed to Japan’s. Do you remember what the difference is between the two?
by drabidea on Mar 16, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I want to say that the MLB ball is slightly bigger
and maybe is made of a different material, giving it a slightly different feel.
Manny ain't the only bad man.
by tommy.otm on Mar 16, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
MLB cowhide baseball. This has been a big thing with the Asian teams.
by SoxAcumen on Mar 16, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
re: Buchholz
This is good news if he can continue to perform well. As I see it, Lester and Dice-K are pretty good bets for 200 innings, but our other guys have questions. Beckett may have lingering shoulder issues, Wakefield is wakefield (usually solid, but you never know), and who knows what Smoltz and Penny will give us. If Buchholz can be at least decent for about 10 games, that might make all the difference.
by Schulz on Mar 16, 2009 12:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm not sure about Dice-K
He hasn’t been efficient. I believe Beckett is a much surer bet for 200 innings than Dice-K.
Last year Dice-K averaged 5.78 innings per start. At that rate, Matsuzaka would need 35 starts to reach 200 innings. No Sox pitcher will make that many starts. Dice-K nibbled less his first season with the Sox. He walked far fewer in 2007: 80 (in 204.2 IP) compared to 94 (in 167.2 IP) in 2008. The lower walk-rate in 2007 helped Dice-K average over 6.1 IP per start (6.4).
In contrast, Beckett threw 200 innings in two of his three Sox seasons. In 2006, Beckett averaged 6.2 innings per start. He averaged 6.67 innings in his Cy Young runner-up season, and he averaged 6.46 innings in an injury-plagued season last year. In fact, in 2008, Beckett went deeper in games than Jon Lester (6.37 IP/GS).
I may be in the minority, but I think Beckett is in-line for a monster year. He is in great shape. If I were to bet, I’d put Beckett first and Lester second (let’s see how he responds after 33 GS last year). I might also bet that Tim Wakefield throws more innings than Dice-K. The only way Matsuzaka beats out Wake is if Wake is hurt and Matsuzaka is 100% healthy and very efficient.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Mar 16, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agree and Disagree
I agree on Beckett, 18+ wins this season.
But Dice-K will pitch more innings than Wake bc Wake will not be in the rotation after July 1. Rotation will be Beckett, Dice-K, Lester, Penny and Smoltz.
Also after watching Dice-k’s 2 WBC games against 2 good teams in Korea and Cuba, he will have another 15 + win season. The guy looks comfortable and has a swagger. WBC might have been the best thing for Dice-K.
Someone correct me if I am incorrect but I believe Dice-K had a great year for Seibu after the 2006 WBC.
by SoxAcumen on Mar 16, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Re: Wake and July 1st
I’m not sure Wake will be out of the rotation come July 1st. First, what makes you think Smoltz, Penny, Buchholz, or Bowden will pitch well/hold down the bottom two spots in the rotation? It’s just as possible all (including Wake) will pitch poorly as it is that two of the four (Wake, Smoltz, Penny, or Buchholz—I don’t see Bowden making the team) will pitch well.
Since 2003, Wakefield has been a reliably league-average pitcher. In all but one year (2006), he has thrown 180+ innings. While he may lack the upside of the other three pitchers, his consistent innings-eating has a lot of value in the regular season.
While I like the Penny signing, there is little to suggest that he will do better in 2009 than Wakefield did in 2008. Penny is hardly an innings-eating pitcher. And, aside from 2007 and 2004 (in 143 IP), Penny has been a league-average pitcher.
As for Smoltz and Buchholz, both are wild cards. Smoltz is 42-years old and coming off a major injury. Buchholz has top-of-the-rotation stuff, but struggled last year. Both could be studs, but neither is a sure thing.
The most likely scenario, assuming Penny can even pitch, is the Sox break camp with Wake #4 and Penny #5. Buchholz, because he has options, would start in Pawtcuket. By July 1st, Smoltz may be replacing Penny or Buchholz (who may take Penny’s place if the latter struggles). Also, Tito will need to monitor Beckett’s, Lester’s, and Dice-K’s workloads. Lester was extremely healthy last year. That might not be the case this year. And Dice-K’s workload in the WBC has been high. I wouldn’t be surprised if he spent time on the DL this year.
Finally, I can’t see the Sox putting Wakefield in the pen because of the knuckler. I also don’t see the Sox releasing or trading him. The only situation where I see Wake losing his spot would be due to injury, retirement, or ineffectiveness. In the latter case, he would have to be pitching horribly by July 1st—so bad that he would consider retirement.
In my opinion, the most likely case will be Smoltz—assuming he can pitch effectively—taking Penny’s spot. Buchholz will likely get his 10-15 starts filling in for injured starters or giving the rotation much-needed rest. Until Wake shows that he can no longer handle the job—something he hasn’t done yet—don’t sell him short.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Mar 17, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wake had a bunch of years when he did come out of the pen. He was kind of our closer for a while 1999, so it might not be out of the question.
by BTLove on Mar 18, 2009 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He was also 32-ish, not 42-ish.
I worry that he wouldn’t be able to bounce back very well.
Manny ain't the only bad man.
by tommy.otm on Mar 19, 2009 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
Also, the Sox’ pen is more crowded that the rotation. The Sox have quite a few relievers who most likely would be more effective than Wake. There aren’t any starters are a sure bets to be better than Wake. No one can say for sure what the Sox will get from Smoltz, Penny, or Buchholz.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on Mar 19, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't Doubt Dice-K
He’ll be good and this world baseball classic may actually freshen him up better than Spring Training.
Friendship is like peeing on yourself: everyone can see it, but only you get the warm feeling that it brings.
by sox-inda-south on Mar 16, 2009 4:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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