Comments on: Red Sox pitchers http://www.oscargamblesociety.com/red-sox-pitchers/ People don't think it be like it is, but it do. Wed, 08 Feb 2012 06:16:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.7 by: Cliffy http://www.oscargamblesociety.com/red-sox-pitchers/#comment-782 Mon, 29 Oct 2007 21:03:06 +0000 http://www.oscargamblesociety.com/red-sox-pitchers/#comment-782 I'm not sure what you mean by "forced" - but I agree with your general point that he is key to them repeating their pillar-to-post success this year. For a guy entering his prime, I submit that a 2008 (and 2009) similar to 2007 is likely. It's not a guarantee... but it's likely. This isn't 45-yr-old Roger Clemens. This is a 27-yr-old with great stuff who's clearly made the adjustment to pitching in the American League. He is undoubtedly the staff ace - and that'll allow Dice-K, Buchholz, and Lester to develop without feeling like one of *them* has to be "the Man". I think that has a positive impact. On a related note, I will not be the least bit surprised to see a Beckett-like jump from Year 1 to Year 2 for Dice-K. Does that mean I expect him to be as dominant in 2008 as Beckett was in 2007, especially postseason? Not necessarily, although its possible. Rather, my point is that I expect a sub-4.00 ERA from him... possibly down in the 3.60 to 3.70 range. I’m not sure what you mean by “forced” - but I agree with your general point that he is key to them repeating their pillar-to-post success this year. For a guy entering his prime, I submit that a 2008 (and 2009) similar to 2007 is likely. It’s not a guarantee… but it’s likely.

This isn’t 45-yr-old Roger Clemens. This is a 27-yr-old with great stuff who’s clearly made the adjustment to pitching in the American League.

He is undoubtedly the staff ace - and that’ll allow Dice-K, Buchholz, and Lester to develop without feeling like one of *them* has to be “the Man”. I think that has a positive impact.

On a related note, I will not be the least bit surprised to see a Beckett-like jump from Year 1 to Year 2 for Dice-K. Does that mean I expect him to be as dominant in 2008 as Beckett was in 2007, especially postseason? Not necessarily, although its possible. Rather, my point is that I expect a sub-4.00 ERA from him… possibly down in the 3.60 to 3.70 range.

]]> by: shtiny http://www.oscargamblesociety.com/red-sox-pitchers/#comment-781 Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:56:00 +0000 http://www.oscargamblesociety.com/red-sox-pitchers/#comment-781 The Sox are stacked right now... with several young arms, and payroll flexibility. All nice things to have. Beckett's health is the single most important piece for the Red Sox return to the World Series next year. They do not win it all this year without him, and while Dice-K, lester and Buchholz are all pitchers with very nice upside, Beckett is the true ace of the staff that will be forced again to come up huge next year. The Sox are stacked right now… with several young arms, and payroll flexibility. All nice things to have. Beckett’s health is the single most important piece for the Red Sox return to the World Series next year. They do not win it all this year without him, and while Dice-K, lester and Buchholz are all pitchers with very nice upside, Beckett is the true ace of the staff that will be forced again to come up huge next year.

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