ALCS Rotation Set

Here it is:

1. Daisuke Matsuzaka
2. Josh Beckett
3. Jon Lester
4. Tim Wakefield
5. Matsuzaka
6. Beckett
7. Lester

Meh. It's nice to have Lester set for Game 7 -- if we get that far. I'd rather see Byrd pitch Game 4, seeing as Wakefield hasn't had a good start in the postseason since 2003. If Matsuzaka and Beckett pitch like they did against the Angels, we could be looking at an 0-2 hole heading to Fenway, but we'll be in trouble regardless of the order if those two continue to be mediocre.

Comments

[Lar]

Byrd is crafty!

[stuck working]

I'm agnostic on Wakefield vs Byrd, though I guess I'd prefer Byrd. I'd almost be tempted to try to get three starts out of Lester, to be honest. He seems like the only one who has really come to play.

[dw (sf)]

I understand the reasoning behind starting Wake over Byrd with the catching situation. Frankly, they both make me nervous.

[FenSheaParkway]

The Sox just demonstrated how little regular season results can mean in predicting a post-season series. But, I just looked at the 2008 splits for Boston's top 3 pitchers vs Tampa Bay, and Tampa Bay's top 3 vs Boston, and I have to admit, I feel a little bit better now.

[Paul SF]

It's not a terrific choice. I see Byrd, and I see a pretty much guaranteed line of 6 IP/4 ER. Not great, but a team can win. Wakefield could throw a no-hitter -- or get lit up for eight runs before he gets six outs.

[Brad]

Here's to hoping that this is the second to last time I ever see Tim Wakefield on the bump in a Red Sox uniform.
Other than that - I think it's a good set. And, Lester in Game 7 is every bit as comforting as Beckett right now. This tells me that Beckett is not healthy, because if he is, this isn't even a question.

[rootbeerfloat]

Friday seems like a very long way from here....

[310ToJoba]

While your assessment of Wakefield's postseason performance is true, I can't believe I've actually seen someone wishing for Paul Byrd instead!