Results tagged ‘ Josh Beckett ’

Josh Beckett, Sox Wrap Up Spring Training in Houston

The Red Sox wrap up their spring training slate Wednesday night when they pay a visit to the Houston Astros.

Josh Beckett will get the start in his last tune-up of the spring.
Beckett, who is slated to start the team’s fourth game of the regular
season, is 0-4 with a 6.64 ERA in five Grapefruit League outings.

Jonathan Papelbon, Daniel Bard, Bobby Jenks and Dennys Reyes are all scheduled to follow Beckett out of the bullpen.

Boston closed down City of Palms Park on Tuesday in somewhat
non-dramatic fashion, tying Tampa Bay 1-1. That gives the Sox a 13-19-2
record this spring. They’ve lost as many as 20 spring training games
just three times since 1973.

Nelson Figueroa is on the mound for Houston. First pitch is 8:05 pm. (NESN)

Every Year There’s One

Every year, there is one player that shows up for Spring Training with something to prove.  They are typically more motivated, in better shape and more eager to get on the field.  This year, it looks to be Clay Buchholz.

Buchholz has been near flawless thus far in spring training and he looks like he’s bringing it!

Last season, Buchholz went 17 and 7 for the Red Sox with a 2.33 ERA.  That is pretty good… VERY GOOD!  With a little more offense, from the Red Sox, he probably would have ended up with 19 or 20 wins. 

If Buchholz improves on last year’s stats, it’s going to be hard to call any one pitcher an “ace” without some serious arguments!  Between Beckett, Lackey, Buchholz and Lester, there is some serious competition for the Ace role.  Also, Wakefield probably won’t go the entire season making starts, but he might make a couple.  And don’t forget Daisuke… when he is healthy, he can be a real asset to the pitching rotation.

The Red Sox have compiled a very competitive pitching staff this year and with improvements in the bullpen, the Sox should have a pretty good defensive year!

How will Josh Beckett perform in 2011?

Josh Beckett became an ace for the Florida Marlins just seasons before arriving in Boston.  Beckett was thought to be an instant dominant force in the American League..

Beckett’s best season with the Red Sox was 2007.  After 5 years with the Sox, he has really been up and down.  2 seasons, his ERA was over 5.00.  Is this the Josh Beckett we were hoping for from the Florida Marlins days? 

He allowed 45 home runs combined in the last two seasons and allowed 36 home runs in 2006. His career 4.59 ERA at Fenway Park is much higher than his career 3.68
ERA everywhere else.

Beckett has the potential to be one of the most dominant performers in the MLB.  His best attribute for wins is that the Red Sox seem to put up lots of runs when he pitches.

2011 could be a big year for Beckett.  Consistency and health could help Beckett become the Beckett he was in Florida.  Not for nothing, he is a great pitcher and the Red Sox fans love him, but, there seems to be a difference in his performance.

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