Jon Lester

4. 

2-Boston Red Sox: Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jon Lester, Tim Wakefield, and Brad Penny. Wild cards: John Smoltz, Clay Buccholz, and Justin Masterson. 

Theo Epstein's starting pitching depth is pretty incredible. Beckett is arguably the premier playoff pitcher in the bigs, and the other's probably John Smoltz -- yup, they have him too. It'll be awhile before Smoltz works his way into the fold, but Wakefield, Buccholz, and/or Masterson should be more than adequate in the veteran's absence. 

Continue reading "MLB's Top Five Starting Rotations"

Dear Readers (all five of you):

I've been active on my other blog at www.fannation.com, under the username JFro, but I continually forget to publish those posts here. That said, the next five posts should be considered my belated MLB preseason predictions -- a preview, of sorts. There's the top five infields, outfields, bullpens, and starting rotations, and of course The Big Kahuna:

Continue reading "Note about forthcoming posts"

an oblique’ during a bullpen session and as a result, the opening series ball gets handed to Jon Lester, who was arguably the squad’s best pitcher this year (16-6 with a 3.21 ERA).

Continue reading "OK. . here we go. . Boston Red Sox ..."

Last night’s game was even more unsettling, as Jon Lester tossed a complete-game, 7-0 shutout. It wasn’t just the shutout—after all, Lester had a no-hitter earlier this year, so his stuff is clearly good—as the way they were shut out. Andy Pettitte, who had been doing better of late and always dependable at home, was chased after four-and-two-thirds innings, having given up five runs on nine hits, with three walks and two strikeouts. Boston jumped on him early, scoring two runs in each of the first two innings, and the Yankees seemed to have given up the game after that.

Continue reading "More Bad Yankee Luck"

Upon seeing Justin Masterson pick up his first Major League victory the day after Jon Lester pitched his no hitter, it got me thinking about the Red Sox’ non-trade for Johan Santana. Both Lester and Masterson were prominent names in the trade talks, along with Jacoby Ellsbury and Jed Lowrie (Clay Buchholz was deemed completely off limits). There was much debate over whether or not Boston would be better off going with the proven All-World pitcher in Santana, or sticking with the young prospects on the belief that they would develop into the prominent pieces of a championship franchise that they were projected to be. So often both front offices as well as fans fall in love with prospects who have never even played a Major League game based solely on their advertised potential. Almost as often, this ends up being an irrational love affair that falls short just as it has in the past with the likes of Brian Rose, Dernell Stenson and Steve Lomasney (anyone remember these guys?). In this case, Boston’s decision to hang on to its young talent has so far worked out very well to start the season.

Continue reading "Looking In On The Players Involved ..."

day's big story, and to contemplate what the Real Lead should be on the story.

Obviously, there's Jon Lester, two years removed from cancer, pitching not only the clinching Game 4 of last year's World Series sweep, but tossing a no-no, the first of this season. Lester struggled early this season and struggled in the bullpen before this start. He acknowledged feeling during warmups that he'd be lucky to get out of the first inning. Clearly, he got stronger as the game went along. Amazingly, it was the first complete game of his career.

Continue reading "No-no? Yes Yes!"

Jon Lester has completely validated, for one night at least, Red Sox management’s decision to back off their pursuit of Johan Santana this past off-season and keep him in the fold for 2008. In reality, it will most likely take a couple of years to say for certain whether or not Boston made the right move to hang on to the young lefty, but after Lester blew his 130th and final pitch, a 96 mph fastball, past Royals batter Alberto Callaspo to complete his no hitter, it has to make Theo Epstein very hopeful for the future.

Continue reading "Lester's No Hitter Validates Decision ..."

The key to the rotation at this point seems to be whether or not Jon Lester will be able to step up and become the top tier pitcher Boston expects him to be.

The problems Boston needs to fix

Continue reading "Red Sox Should Feel Good About The Season So Far"

If yesterday’s game had gone the other way, the Sox would be 2-2, Jon Lester would have an 0-2 in his W-L and there might be lingering questions about effects of the Japan trip.

           The final score (5-0) was not indicative of the game; scoreless through 6 complete innings, until Ortiz (off of ex-Sox pitcher Alan Embree) followed a Youkilis double with his first home run and RBI of the season in the top of the 7th. Lester pitched three-hit ball through the 7th inning, and didn’t allow a runner to get to second base past the first inning. He gave way to Bryan Corey, when Dustin Pedroia couldn’t quite hang on to a ‘bloop’ hit that went into and out of his glove in shallow right field. Six Sox had two hits apiece (Pedroia, Youkilis, Ortiz, Varitek, Crisp & Cora), with J.D. Drew entering the lineup and adding a hit. Varitek hit his first home run of the season. Without the services of Okajima or Papelbon, Francona turned to Corey for an inning-plus and Manny Delcarmen sealed the deal.

Continue reading "Don't get too excited. . .but the ..."

the fans some hope that this rebuilding project has a bright future ahead.

Boston Red Sox

Will Jon Lester have a breakout year?

Lester has two partial Major League seasons under his belt in which he has had some bright moments as well as his share of struggles. Now that he more than a year removed from his cancer diagnosis, it is time for him to realize his potential. He is slated into the rotation as the number 3 started so unlike the past two seasons, he is expected to be a vital cog in the rotation.

Continue reading "MLB 2008 Season Preview: American Leauge East"

ue start, Jacoby Ellsbury stepped in when he was needed and became a vital part of the offense, and Jon Lester got the win in the World Series clincher. All are expected to be key contributors to the team this season. However, this influx of talent from the minors has not left this cupboard bare as Boston’s farm system still ranks in Baseball America’s top 5. Here are some of the next big prospects to keep an eye on in camp this spring and follow their progress this summer.

Continue reading "Boston Farm System Still Flush With Prospects"

ermine who gets to do what.

There'll be a struggle to determine the team's fifth starter (Jon Lester or Clay Buchholz), which I touched on previously and there'll be an even more striking struggle out at center field as management works at a decision between Coco Crisp and the new kid on the block, Jacoby Ellsbury.

Continue reading "Is Coco 'crisp' enough?"

e's about 65. There'll be a struggle for the fifth position in the rotation with lefty Jon Lester and right-hander Clay Buchholz leading the pack.

Remember Buchholz? I didn't, until I was reminded of his no-hitter against the Orioles last September. He went 3-1 last year with an ERA of 1.59, which is, as they say, not too shabby, although it remains to be seen whether he'll develop into the 'ace' that he has all the potential to be.

Continue reading "Getting closer"