Jon Lester Throws Complete Game In Win Over Twins
by Randy Booth on May 20, 2010 9:55 PM EDT
in Game Stories
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PrintClay Buchholz went out Wednesday night and pitched the game of the year so far for the Red Sox. Too bad it didn't last very long.
Jon Lester pitched a six-hit complete game on Thursday night in a 6-2 win over the Twins. Lester was just filthy, throwing just 103 pitches and keeping the Twins at bay the entire game. Lester allowed two runs (one earned), no walks and struck out nine. It was just one of those games from The Ace.
Fortunately, Lester had an offense behind him tonight. Kevin Youkilis and Adrian Beltre each hit home runs in the win. Youk finished 2 for 4 with a run and 4 RBI. Victor Martinez was also big, going 3 for 4 with two runs. All three of VMart's hits were doubles.
This was exactly what the Red Sox's needed from Lester tonight. Sure, they had a great start from Buchholz last night. But great teams are ability to string together great starts and just win games. All of a sudden, the Red Sox have won three games in a row against two of the best teams in baseball (Yankees, Twins). It just took The Ace and The Assistant Ace (Buchholz) to get it done.
Two wins over the Twins is a great way to head into Philly. It's never easy facing the Phillies, but going in with three straight wins under your belt certainly helps. If the Red Sox's offense can keep hitting and if this weekend's starters take note of what just happened (yeah, I'm talking to you Dice-K, Lackey and Timmy), the Red Sox might be able to turn a corner.
Are things getting brighter in Boston? Perhaps they are.
Oh. And thank you, Jon Lester. You're the freaking man.
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Woohoo!
Lars hit a HR.
"man, this team they just suck so bad"- gizmosandy
DFA Bogar
Twitter: @BoldandBrash
Sweet. Down big though
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by bestbostonsports on May 20, 2010 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions
I don't care if they win;
I just want our prospects to progress.
"man, this team they just suck so bad"- gizmosandy
DFA Bogar
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by BoldandBrash on May 20, 2010 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, but I am a Pawsox fan and root for them to win. Good to see that HR though, he hasn’t exactly lit it up in Pawtucket.
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by bestbostonsports on May 20, 2010 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I think he was our for a while with a sickness.
He’s just getting back.
"man, this team they just suck so bad"- gizmosandy
DFA Bogar
Twitter: @BoldandBrash
by BoldandBrash on May 20, 2010 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions
out
"man, this team they just suck so bad"- gizmosandy
DFA Bogar
Twitter: @BoldandBrash
by BoldandBrash on May 20, 2010 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions
True, either way good to see him hitting.
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by bestbostonsports on May 20, 2010 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions
You know, you stick your Bates love in here all the time
And then you give your thoughts on Lars: " he hasn’t exactly lit it up in Pawtucket".
In 50 AB he has better numbers than Bates in every category that counts.
He just got called up.
Do you ever really look at the players stats?
Lars Anderson link:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=1B&sid=t533&t=p_pbp&pid=502249
Arron Bates link:
http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?pos=1B&sid=t533&t=p_pbp&pid=488686
Anderson is 22 yrs old. Bates is 26 yrs old.
Are you just shotting from the hip?
It’s just getting a little old for me. No biggie.
Enjoy the games.
" Play Ball "
Um I didn’t bring up Bates all night. Understand dude: <3 Bates, but Lars Is better, and has a place in the organization.
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by bestbostonsports on May 20, 2010 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Exactly.
Yes, Lars is good, Bates is not. I understand that.
I do not think Lars will be that great in the major league leval, to be honest. I hope hes good, I just dont see it happening. Its nothing aganist him, and the two players have nothing to do with me opinion of the other.
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by bestbostonsports on May 20, 2010 11:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Lester > Sabathia
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by bestbostonsports on May 20, 2010 9:58 PM EDT reply actions
Yes, and he likely won't have heart trouble.
"man, this team they just suck so bad"- gizmosandy
DFA Bogar
Twitter: @BoldandBrash
by BoldandBrash on May 20, 2010 10:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Haha yeah.
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by bestbostonsports on May 20, 2010 10:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Every time Buch and Lester are up I feel confident about winning.
This team is good enough that, especially once injured players come back, I have pretty good confidence in their fielding and hitting. But Beckett, Lackey, Dice-K, and Wakefield just scare me, along with most of the bullpen. Just keep putting out Lester/Buchholz and have them go deep into games and I’ll be happy.
And while we’re on the subject, can I have a clone each of Buch and Lester and maybe another Bard as well? That would be great.
Haha. I want a Bard clone!
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by bestbostonsports on May 20, 2010 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Whenever Dice-K and Lackey pitch,
I feel confident about losing.
"man, this team they just suck so bad"- gizmosandy
DFA Bogar
Twitter: @BoldandBrash
by BoldandBrash on May 20, 2010 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Agree. Don’t clone them!
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by bestbostonsports on May 20, 2010 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL I just saw Geroge Kottaras on the Brewers.
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by bestbostonsports on May 20, 2010 10:07 PM EDT reply actions
Pawsox lose. Yankees down to last strike.
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by bestbostonsports on May 20, 2010 10:15 PM EDT reply actions
Wearing my Lester Jersey to the game Tuesday
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by bestbostonsports on May 20, 2010 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Toronto and MFY lose.
TB wins.
"man, this team they just suck so bad"- gizmosandy
DFA Bogar
Twitter: @BoldandBrash
Rays win Yanks lose
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by bestbostonsports on May 20, 2010 10:16 PM EDT reply actions
We gained on Toronto too.
"man, this team they just suck so bad"- gizmosandy
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Twitter: @BoldandBrash
by BoldandBrash on May 20, 2010 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Good
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by bestbostonsports on May 20, 2010 10:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Winning doesn’t suck.
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by bestbostonsports on May 20, 2010 10:25 PM EDT reply actions
Lester for Cy Young
assuming he continues his trend ala last year (he’s actually ahead of the curve)
I picked him.
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by bestbostonsports on May 20, 2010 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Ellsbury to be activated!
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by bestbostonsports on May 20, 2010 11:53 PM EDT reply actions
103 PITCHES?!?!?!!!!!
Holy crap! That’s not even 12 pitches per inning! WTF?
Fenway: "An alternate and better universe, disguised as a ballpark." --Thomas Boswell
And to put Lester's dominance in even sharper relief
(Seems like the original discussion got deleted)
Of Lester’s 103 pitches, 19 of them were in the final frame—so that means just 84 pitches for 8 innings, for a nifty 10.5 pitches per inning. Along with a bunch of hits and 7 or 8 K’s through those frames makes for a very efficient outing.
We really need to clone this version of ultra-dominant Lester.
Fenway: "An alternate and better universe, disguised as a ballpark." --Thomas Boswell
Yeah, he got 'sloppy' to close it out, LOL.
Just an amazing, dominant performance.
Oh, and looking at Youk's numbers
Talk about a lopsided split:
vs RHP: .286/.404/.446
vs LHP: .448/.662/1.034 (!)
LHPs should just give him a free pass every time he comes to the plate right now. . . .
Fenway: "An alternate and better universe, disguised as a ballpark." --Thomas Boswell
Of course, he's killed righties these last couple years too, so it shouldn't be long...
USG
by Ben Buchanan on May 21, 2010 2:24 AM EDT up reply actions
If he can keep those numbers against lefties
And bring up his RHP numbers, you’re talking MVP-level results there. . . .
Fenway: "An alternate and better universe, disguised as a ballpark." --Thomas Boswell
Youk has had MVP level results for 2 straight years.
In ‘08, Pedey took it, though Youk was just as deserving, if not moreso.
In ’09, Mauer was just ridiculous. In a normal year, Youk would’ve had a great shot.
USG
by Ben Buchanan on May 21, 2010 11:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Youk's normal RHP numbers plus this year's LHP numbers
Would probably blow Mauer’s numbers from last season out of the water. It’d be more or less unassailable MVP territory, unless Pedroia breaks the HR record or something like that.
Fenway: "An alternate and better universe, disguised as a ballpark." --Thomas Boswell
hell, his vs RHP numbers
.404 OBP, .850 OPS
are already all-star worthy.
His overalls are definitely already in the MVP discussion. For players with 150+ PAs, only Justin Morneau has a higher wOBA (a ridiculous .491 to Youk’s .455).
So do we then platoon him with Ortiz against righties?
::mildly joking;;
Surgeon General's Warning: K-State-Mizzou basketball may increase the risk of high blood pressure. Please consult your doctor prior to watching any of these games.
LOL - interleague (vs PHI) starts tonight ...
How will Francona keep Papi’s bat in the lineup this weekend?
Does he move Beltre or Youk to the outfield????
Most likely gets 1 start at the most.
Papi will understand IL play benching.
USG
by Ben Buchanan on May 21, 2010 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
+1
He’ll get at least 1 AB in the games he doesn’t start. The bench is more important in NL baseball.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on May 21, 2010 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions
If Cam and Els aren't back
I have no problem with moving Youk to left…
Surgeon General's Warning: K-State-Mizzou basketball may increase the risk of high blood pressure. Please consult your doctor prior to watching any of these games.
I do
He’s awful out there.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on May 21, 2010 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions
And I think he hates it even more than you do.
Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.
@#$%ing Twit: @blogtard
I think you're right
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on May 21, 2010 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Per Ben's comment up above ..
Youk will understand IL play in LF …
Game Score
Lester scored a 78 on Bill James’ Game Score with this start….ironically not even his best score of the season. He scored an 84 for his April 28th game at Toronto. Dice-K’s Toronto win scored a 76.
For perspective, Ubaldo Jimenez’s no-hitter scored an 88. Jimenez has eclipsed the 70 mark in 6 of his 9 starts.
Dallas Braden’s perfect game at a score of 93 is the best so far this season
The Sox look like world-beaters when their starters come up big
Problem is, only Buchholz and Lester seem to be capable of the kind of performances that spark the team. (Wake, when allowed to start, appears to be sporadically capable of a Big Game.)
“Spahn and Sain and pray for rain.” That’s as close as I can get to describing the problem, because only Fester rhymes with Lester, and good luck with Buchholz.
by Mister Snitch on May 21, 2010 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Every team looks like world-beaters when they get good starting pitching
Lester is one of the best pitchers in baseball. Here’s a comparison of Lester and Sabathia since the start of last year:
2009
Lester – (203.1 IP) 9.96 K/9 2.83 BB/9 3.41 ERA/3.15 FIP/3.13 xFIP/3.30 tRA
Sabathia – (230 IP) 7.71 K/9 2.62 BB/9 3.37 ERA/3.39 FIP/3.82 xFIP/3.64 tRA
2010
Lester – (59.2 IP) 9.50 K/9 3.47 BB/9 3.47 ERA/3.24 FIP/3.23 xFIP/3.72 tRA
Sabathia – (60.1 IP) 6.41 K/9 2.83 BB/9 3.43 ERA/4.46 FIP/4.03 xFIP/4.30 tRA
You can’t discount the IP edge CC had last year. Still, I think Lester was slightly better last year and stands to be significantly better this year if the current trends continue.
I think as long as Beckett is healthy, he’ll be fine. The only worries for the Sox’ rotation are Dice-K and Lackey. Lackey has been awful. His K-rates are way down this year, and he’s not fooling anyone (5.6% SwStr%). I’ve never been a huge Matsuzaka fan. But his 43.1% LOB% should improve dramatically as the season goes on.
I’m a huge Buchholz fan. But let’s not forget that his BB-rate is the highest among Sox’ starters—including Dice-K. His K-rate is below his career average and he has been very lucky so far with his HR-rate. In other words, let’s not get carried away yet. He has to improve before we start calling him even the Sox’ #2 starter.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on May 21, 2010 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions
I've been saying since last year
Tha endurance is the only thing cash cow has on Lester. We have the best lefty in the AL East. Probably 2nd only to Cliff Lee in the MLB.
USG
by Ben Buchanan on May 21, 2010 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Good thing the player's union voided that A-Rod trade
If the trade had been approved, the Sox would have sent Manny and a prospect (Jon Lester) to Texas for Slappy. What a disaster that would have been.
I gotta go 'cause I'm probably definitely gonna nod out again.
by Drugs Delaney on May 21, 2010 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Please don't ever bring that up again.
Galactus does as he pleases. Because Galactus is drunk.
@#$%ing Twit: @blogtard
OK, so, what bears saving from all that:
Wrong. He IS, right now, at this moment, the Sox #2 starter. Period. Whose stats are better? Lackey’s? Dice’s? Beckett’s?
Not only is he the Number Two Starter RIGHT NOW, no one else is even close. Until he loses that status, because he fails or someone else pitches better, that is the status he has.
- Mister Snitch
Drugs makes a very good point with Clay. Some games his stuff is very good and he looks like an ace, however there are ways to measure luck and sustainability and right now a lot of Clay’s stats show that what he has been doing isn’t very sustainable but even if he does regress it won’t be by too much. Meanwhile the rest of the staff are posting unsustainable stats that show they should be getting much better. If Lester is the ace of the staff than why was Beckett the opening day starter? It’s because where a pitcher is placed in the rotation is based on more than performance alone. Sure, Buchholz has been our second best starter so far, the other pitchers on the staff have better long term track records and stats to show they should be getting better while Clay’s show that he may start getting worse and the hope that people have invested in him currently may be misplaced.
-Rogue Nine
Please, folks, can we not all get along? I realize that the cultures of the SABR and non-SABR crowd clashes pretty easilly, but that’s no reason to accuse eachother of lying and manipulating on the one hand, and to be condescending and insulting on the other.
USG
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