Beckett and Tek

by revigik on Aug 22, 2009 11:36 PM EDT

I was watching Beckett's last start in Toronto last week and I still couldn't understand why he did so badly. Then it dawned on me. He wasn't being caught by Jason Varitek. I looked at the Game Log and it seemed to support my theory. Over this year, Beckett has had 4 starts where he has given up 7 or more runs (Ok, one he had an unearned...), April 25th, April 30th, June 14th (in Philly, was there to see the HR!), and August 18th. Of those four, only April 25th, that Yankee slugfest with Tek's Slam was caught by Tek (and that may be attributed to Beckett's slow start this year). After that, April 30th-George Kottaras. June 14th-George Kottaras. August 18th-Victor Martinez. Now I hope I'm wrong and that these are just shaky starts, but they are uncharacteristic of Beckett. Now Beckett showed signs of brilliance in Florida with other catchers, however he never really gained his prowess until coming to Boston. Could it be he needs Jason Varitek more than meets the eye?

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The Globe

actually wrote a piece about this after his start. I don’t think the last start was as much Tek being absent as Martinez never catching Beckett in addition to th fact that the decision was made I think about an hour before the game due to Tek’s injury. Beckett, from what I’ve read, is very much a creature of habit. The late change disrupted his entire routine. Pitchers are wierd athletes, sort of like kickers. When Beckett dominates the MFY tonight, it won’t be that Tek is behind the plate, it will be that he was able to prepare in exactly the same manner that he has for the past couple of months. I actually hope I am right, more than know I am. Tek is a very good catcher, but Martinez has caught 2 Cy Young candidates and a winner in the last two years. With a little more time to get to know the pitchers he’ll be fine.

We are not normal. We are legends.

by NittanyAlum02 on Aug 23, 2009 9:57 AM EDT reply actions

Jinxed it.

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by bdalebs on Aug 23, 2009 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions

this is true...

but it also confirms my theory that it isn’t the all seeing all knowing no hitting Tek that makes Beckett great. Unfortunately in a not so pleasant way.

We are not normal. We are legends.

by NittanyAlum02 on Aug 24, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Meh.

Small sample size. Could still be Beck trying to adjust back from Vic.

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by bdalebs on Aug 24, 2009 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions

And his curve has off last night.

Like, 2 inches less movement than in July. I posted the graphs in the GT.

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by bdalebs on Aug 24, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm concerned that he's hurt.

I know two games isn’t a lot and all pitchers have off nights/rough stretches but the home run #’s in those two games are really troubling.

We are not normal. We are legends.

by NittanyAlum02 on Aug 24, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Check tomorrow's Laundry for the scoop.

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by bdalebs on Aug 25, 2009 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions

True Dat. Also, if he is uncomfortable with a new catcher on the first time, this at least gives him his second start in a row to get settled.

"We're not going to give up," It doesn't happen, so who cares? There's always next year. It's not like it's the end of the world."-Manny Ramirez

by revigik on Aug 23, 2009 10:20 AM EDT reply actions

I wondered about this during the game

But as I watched it, Victor had his glove in all the right spots, Beckett just couldn’t find it. He just missed spots, that’s not Victor’s fault. You can blame Victor for breaking up the routine but you can’t blame his game calling.

by BigRedDog42 on Aug 23, 2009 12:24 PM EDT reply actions