FanPost

Should Doubront start in place of Peavy?

Admittedly this post is a few days late, as the starters for games 1 through 4 of the World Series have now been set. Such is the life of a working new dad.

Since learning how much better left-handed pitchers do against the Cardinals lineup than do right-handers, I've had the nagging feeling that maybe the Red Sox would be better off starting Doubront in this series in place of Peavy. Consider the following:

Doubront is a reliable left-handed starter, Peavy is a right-handed starter.

Peavy has a poor track record in postseason starts.

On the other hand, Peavy brings a good bat to national league games. He is arguably the best hitting pitcher on the Red Sox, with a .173 career batting average, though Lackey has had a late-career surge, with a 3-for-13 run since joining the Red Sox. Still, his 75 career hits dwarf the rest of the starters' combined 5 career hits (Ryan Dempster's 58 career hits excluded).

Also, Doubront hasn't started a game since September, and has had only one start since early September, so he isn't exactly stretched out right now.

What do you think? Should Doubront start over Peavy? Or will Peavy will himself to a good start in his first chance in the World Series? Or should Doubront be reserved as long relief should Buchholz once again struggle after the 4th inning?