ALCS-What's your rotation?

[tedylb]

OK, let's play manager here. Who gets the ball in game one Friday night? It's a best-of-seven series. Dice-K will have the most rest, but what about Beckett? Both were sub-par against the Angels, and need to bounce back. With normal rest, Lester should start game 2 and 6, if necessary. And what about game 4? Wake or Byrd? Remember Varitek normally sits when Wake pitches.

With the pen pitching well, we should be in good shape if the starters can give us 6 strong innings against a very good Rays team. It could go 7 games. Your thoughts?

 

[Wildo7]

I'd like to see Becket-Lester-Dice K in that order, even though I think Becket will continue to be sub par.

 

[D-Money]

What makes u think Beckett will continue to be sub-par?I expected him to be rusty after not pitching for so long.

 

[D-Money]

The worse thing about this series is hearing the same duo again.I cant stand Chip Caray although it seems like sometimes he gives the red sox credit.

 

[Wildo7]

What makes u think Beckett will continue to be sub-par?I expected him to be rusty after not pitching for so long.

when Becket has injury on his mind he tends to be less than great IMO. I hope I'm wrong, but my feeling is that he needs to be 100% healthy for months before he gets the confidence he needs to shut it down.

 

[PatriotDynasty_12]

Dice K ( pitches better away from Fenway
Lester
Beckett
Wakefield (has owned the Rays in his career)

 

[tedylb]

Dice K ( pitches better away from Fenway
Lester
Beckett
Wakefield (has owned the Rays in his career)

I like this rotation. It lines up Beckett and Lester for games 6 & 7 on full rest. But put a very quick hook on Wake if he doesn't have it.

 

[363839]

I thought Wakefield was deactivated for the Playoffs.

 

[363839]

I like Daisuke, Lester, Beckett and Wakefield.
I just checked the roster and saw Wake was on there but I remember reading they deactivated him.
Don't get old, guys.

 

[PatriotDynasty_12]

God, we're some spoiled sports fans

 

[patriotspride]

I'd like to see Becket-Lester-Dice K in that order, even though I think Becket will continue to be sub par.

thats my rotation also. but i think your wrong about beckett. i believe he was rusty in his last start and you will see much improvement in his command against the rays. i dont think his oblique is a problem or it would have showed up in game three .

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I thought Wakefield was deactivated for the Playoffs.

I'm pretty sure it's a separate decision for each series.

 

[tedylb]

I think it will all hinge on Beckett's health. If is 100% or close to it, look out!. If not, could be big trouble. I'm praying he'll be in 2004 & 2007 postseason form.

 

[jmt57]

Dice-K, Beckett, Lester. I'd rather see Beckett go on five days rather than four, plus Dice-K gets to pitch on his regular rotation. I'm not sure about Wakefield; I know he has owned Tampa in the past, but didn't the Rays hit him hard this year?

 

[D-Money]

I for one would love to see Dice K pitch 7 innings.Stop the damn nibbling.My concern is that he always leaves that ball up.

 

[tedylb]

Manager Terry Francona announced Wednesday that Daisuke Matsuzaka will start Game 1 of the ALCS.
He'll be followed in the rotation by Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and Tim Wakefield. If the series goes the distance, Lester will get the call in Game 7.
Source: Boston Globe Oct. 8 -

Tim Wakefield - BOS
The Boston Globe reports that Tim Wakefield will start Game 4 of the ALCS.
He'll pitch Tuesday night, leaving Paul Byrd to work out of the bullpen.

 

[WeezyFbaby]

Matsuzaka to open for Red Sox against Rays - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

link

 

[Wildo7]

thats my rotation also. but i think your wrong about beckett. i believe he was rusty in his last start and you will see much improvement in his command against the rays. i dont think his oblique is a problem or it would have showed up in game three .

I'd LOVE to be wrong about Beckett. But it's just a gut feeling for some reason that he lets stuff like that get into his head, even if his oblique isn't really bothering him.