2008 Baseball Thread

[aeroparrot]

The difference between Red Sox fans and the towel wavers of the world and those who leave Yankee Stadium when their team is down (which is 90% of them) is that Fenway was more or less filled last night even after the Sox were down by 7.


In the words of the immortal Adam Sandler, "Uh oh . . . Happy learned how to putt."

If Kazmir could pitch more then 6 innings....They don't come back...he had electric stuff last night....i would of stayed with him until they got in trouble!!..but they didn't and now the Red Sox have hope and a chance to come back from 3-1 down...AGAIN!!

well, you can thank the Rays for that...the long inning at the top of the 6th, with the colder conditions made it impossible for him to come out in the 7th inning. That, and maybe the Rays were just a little too cocky, not thinking they needed him!

Now here is the question . . . Beckett is, atleast right now, scheduled game 6. Why! Lester goes on normal rest. Lester is by far the better pitcher. If Beckett stinks in game 7 then you have an entire off season of pitchers to use. Everyone pitches game 7 if needed.

Interesting point. On the subject of Beckett, considering how he has pitched recently, if you were a manager, how "short of a leash" would you have Beckett on?

[C-Dawg]

The difference between Red Sox fans and the towel wavers of the world and those who leave Yankee Stadium when their team is down (which is 90% of them) is that Fenway was more or less filled last night even after the Sox were down by 7.


In the words of the immortal Adam Sandler, "Uh oh . . . Happy learned how to putt."

If Kazmir could pitch more then 6 innings....They don't come back...he had electric stuff last night....i would of stayed with him until they got in trouble!!..but they didn't and now the Red Sox have hope and a chance to come back from 3-1 down...AGAIN!!

well, you can thank the Rays for that...the long inning at the top of the 6th, with the colder conditions made it impossible for him to come out in the 7th inning. That, and maybe the Rays were just a little too cocky, not thinking they needed him!

Now here is the question . . . Beckett is, atleast right now, scheduled game 6. Why! Lester goes on normal rest. Lester is by far the better pitcher. If Beckett stinks in game 7 then you have an entire off season of pitchers to use. Everyone pitches game 7 if needed.

Interesting point. On the subject of Beckett, considering how he has pitched recently, if you were a manager, how "short of a leash" would you have Beckett on?

Beckett will be on a real short leash....if he gets into trouble he'll get pulled and replaced by Byrd. Byrd's rested and ready. OTOH, if Beckett can pull this out, then we have Lester for game 7. I have to believe the next game will be like the last, pitch anyone at any time, as they did with Papelbon last night in the 7th. There is no more tomorrow to save for.

[drunkpirate66]

The difference between Red Sox fans and the towel wavers of the world and those who leave Yankee Stadium when their team is down (which is 90% of them) is that Fenway was more or less filled last night even after the Sox were down by 7.


In the words of the immortal Adam Sandler, "Uh oh . . . Happy learned how to putt."

If Kazmir could pitch more then 6 innings....They don't come back...he had electric stuff last night....i would of stayed with him until they got in trouble!!..but they didn't and now the Red Sox have hope and a chance to come back from 3-1 down...AGAIN!!

well, you can thank the Rays for that...the long inning at the top of the 6th, with the colder conditions made it impossible for him to come out in the 7th inning. That, and maybe the Rays were just a little too cocky, not thinking they needed him!

Now here is the question . . . Beckett is, atleast right now, scheduled game 6. Why! Lester goes on normal rest. Lester is by far the better pitcher. If Beckett stinks in game 7 then you have an entire off season of pitchers to use. Everyone pitches game 7 if needed.

Interesting point. On the subject of Beckett, considering how he has pitched recently, if you were a manager, how "short of a leash" would you have Beckett on?

Beckett will be on a real short leash....if he gets into trouble he'll get pulled and replaced by Byrd. Byrd's rested and ready. OTOH, if Beckett can pull this out, then we have Lester for game 7. I have to believe the next game will be like the last, pitch anyone at any time, as they did with Papelbon last night in the 7th. There is no more tomorrow to save for.

Therefore Lester goes next. I bet Francona is lying. Lester will be the Game 6 despite what is reported. Doesn't make sense any other way. Becket goes 7: if he does well leave him in; if he gives up 5 runs in the first inning you use your entire team . . . . can't do that if Beckett pitches tomorrow.

[BottleofRum]

If Kazmir could pitch more then 6 innings....They don't come back...he had electric stuff last night....i would of stayed with him until they got in trouble!!..but they didn't and now the Red Sox have hope and a chance to come back from 3-1 down...AGAIN!!

well, you can thank the Rays for that...the long inning at the top of the 6th, with the colder conditions made it impossible for him to come out in the 7th inning. That, and maybe the Rays were just a little too cocky, not thinking they needed him!

Now here is the question . . . Beckett is, atleast right now, scheduled game 6. Why! Lester goes on normal rest. Lester is by far the better pitcher. If Beckett stinks in game 7 then you have an entire off season of pitchers to use. Everyone pitches game 7 if needed.

Interesting point. On the subject of Beckett, considering how he has pitched recently, if you were a manager, how "short of a leash" would you have Beckett on?

Beckett will be on a real short leash....if he gets into trouble he'll get pulled and replaced by Byrd. Byrd's rested and ready. OTOH, if Beckett can pull this out, then we have Lester for game 7. I have to believe the next game will be like the last, pitch anyone at any time, as they did with Papelbon last night in the 7th. There is no more tomorrow to save for.

Therefore Lester goes next. I bet Francona is lying. Lester will be the Game 6 despite what is reported. Doesn't make sense any other way. Becket goes 7: if he does well leave him in; if he gives up 5 runs in the first inning you use your entire team . . . . can't do that if Beckett pitches tomorrow.

Beckett is pitching in game 6 unless he is hurt and can't pitch at all. There is no way Francona holds him back for a game 7, that doesn't make sense. You have to win both games and those are your two available starting pitchers, what would be the advantage to switching them? If anything it would show a lack of support for Beckett. You have to win game 6 first and if that means using every available pitcher except Lester then so be it, even DiceK who could probably give them an inning. Beckett will be on a short leash, I wouldn't be surprised to see Papplebon in game early again.

TB still has a huge advantage but Beckett and Lester give the Red Sox a chance to pull it out.

And no one is really giving Francona credit for the way he managed the game yesterday, bringing in Papplebon in the 7th when he needed a shutdown pitcher and kept the Sox alive. Masterson is a walking heart attack though

[drunkpirate66]

well, you can thank the Rays for that...the long inning at the top of the 6th, with the colder conditions made it impossible for him to come out in the 7th inning. That, and maybe the Rays were just a little too cocky, not thinking they needed him!

Now here is the question . . . Beckett is, atleast right now, scheduled game 6. Why! Lester goes on normal rest. Lester is by far the better pitcher. If Beckett stinks in game 7 then you have an entire off season of pitchers to use. Everyone pitches game 7 if needed.

Interesting point. On the subject of Beckett, considering how he has pitched recently, if you were a manager, how "short of a leash" would you have Beckett on?

Beckett will be on a real short leash....if he gets into trouble he'll get pulled and replaced by Byrd. Byrd's rested and ready. OTOH, if Beckett can pull this out, then we have Lester for game 7. I have to believe the next game will be like the last, pitch anyone at any time, as they did with Papelbon last night in the 7th. There is no more tomorrow to save for.

Therefore Lester goes next. I bet Francona is lying. Lester will be the Game 6 despite what is reported. Doesn't make sense any other way. Becket goes 7: if he does well leave him in; if he gives up 5 runs in the first inning you use your entire team . . . . can't do that if Beckett pitches tomorrow.

Beckett is pitching in game 6 unless he is hurt and can't pitch at all. There is no way Francona holds him back for a game 7, that doesn't make sense. You have to win both games and those are your two available starting pitchers, what would be the advantage to switching them? If anything it would show a lack of support for Beckett. You have to win game 6 first and if that means using every available pitcher except Lester then so be it even DiceK who could probably give them an inning. Beckett will be on a short leash, I wouldn't be surprised to see Papplebon in game early again.

TB still has a huge advantage but Beckett and Lester give the Red Sox a chance to pull it out.

And no one is really giving Francona credit for the way he managed the game yesterday, bringing in Papplebon in the 7th when he needed a shutdown pitcher and kept the Sox alive. Masterson is a walking heart attack though

You can't get to game 7 without winning game 6 . . . . you go with the better pitcher first: Lester. The value there is, in theory, Lester goes deeper then Beckett will. In game 7 everyone pitches. With Lester pitching you wouldn't need that option. You go Lester in game 6 and hope Beckett pitches well early in game 7. If he doesn't then you use up whoever you need to. That would be the better play, IMO.

[BottleofRum]

Now here is the question . . . Beckett is, atleast right now, scheduled game 6. Why! Lester goes on normal rest. Lester is by far the better pitcher. If Beckett stinks in game 7 then you have an entire off season of pitchers to use. Everyone pitches game 7 if needed.

Interesting point. On the subject of Beckett, considering how he has pitched recently, if you were a manager, how "short of a leash" would you have Beckett on?

Beckett will be on a real short leash....if he gets into trouble he'll get pulled and replaced by Byrd. Byrd's rested and ready. OTOH, if Beckett can pull this out, then we have Lester for game 7. I have to believe the next game will be like the last, pitch anyone at any time, as they did with Papelbon last night in the 7th. There is no more tomorrow to save for.

Therefore Lester goes next. I bet Francona is lying. Lester will be the Game 6 despite what is reported. Doesn't make sense any other way. Becket goes 7: if he does well leave him in; if he gives up 5 runs in the first inning you use your entire team . . . . can't do that if Beckett pitches tomorrow.

Beckett is pitching in game 6 unless he is hurt and can't pitch at all. There is no way Francona holds him back for a game 7, that doesn't make sense. You have to win both games and those are your two available starting pitchers, what would be the advantage to switching them? If anything it would show a lack of support for Beckett. You have to win game 6 first and if that means using every available pitcher except Lester then so be it even DiceK who could probably give them an inning. Beckett will be on a short leash, I wouldn't be surprised to see Papplebon in game early again.

TB still has a huge advantage but Beckett and Lester give the Red Sox a chance to pull it out.

And no one is really giving Francona credit for the way he managed the game yesterday, bringing in Papplebon in the 7th when he needed a shutdown pitcher and kept the Sox alive. Masterson is a walking heart attack though

You can't get to game 7 without winning game 6 . . . . you go with the better pitcher first: Lester. The value there is, in theory, Lester goes deeper then Beckett will. In game 7 everyone pitches. With Lester pitching you wouldn't need that option. You go Lester in game 6 and hope Beckett pitches well early in game 7. If he doesn't then you use up whoever you need to. That would be the better play, IMO.

That is backwards thinking. Beckett is the guy for game 6, if he is good enough to trust in game 7 then he is good enough in game 6.

[drunkpirate66]

Interesting point. On the subject of Beckett, considering how he has pitched recently, if you were a manager, how "short of a leash" would you have Beckett on?

Beckett will be on a real short leash....if he gets into trouble he'll get pulled and replaced by Byrd. Byrd's rested and ready. OTOH, if Beckett can pull this out, then we have Lester for game 7. I have to believe the next game will be like the last, pitch anyone at any time, as they did with Papelbon last night in the 7th. There is no more tomorrow to save for.

Therefore Lester goes next. I bet Francona is lying. Lester will be the Game 6 despite what is reported. Doesn't make sense any other way. Becket goes 7: if he does well leave him in; if he gives up 5 runs in the first inning you use your entire team . . . . can't do that if Beckett pitches tomorrow.

Beckett is pitching in game 6 unless he is hurt and can't pitch at all. There is no way Francona holds him back for a game 7, that doesn't make sense. You have to win both games and those are your two available starting pitchers, what would be the advantage to switching them? If anything it would show a lack of support for Beckett. You have to win game 6 first and if that means using every available pitcher except Lester then so be it even DiceK who could probably give them an inning. Beckett will be on a short leash, I wouldn't be surprised to see Papplebon in game early again.

TB still has a huge advantage but Beckett and Lester give the Red Sox a chance to pull it out.

And no one is really giving Francona credit for the way he managed the game yesterday, bringing in Papplebon in the 7th when he needed a shutdown pitcher and kept the Sox alive. Masterson is a walking heart attack though

You can't get to game 7 without winning game 6 . . . . you go with the better pitcher first: Lester. The value there is, in theory, Lester goes deeper then Beckett will. In game 7 everyone pitches. With Lester pitching you wouldn't need that option. You go Lester in game 6 and hope Beckett pitches well early in game 7. If he doesn't then you use up whoever you need to. That would be the better play, IMO.

That is backwards thinking. Beckett is the guy for game 6, if he is good enough to trust in game 7 then he is good enough in game 6.

I just like Beckett in 7 with the potential bullpen support.

[aeroparrot]

Interesting point. On the subject of Beckett, considering how he has pitched recently, if you were a manager, how "short of a leash" would you have Beckett on?

Beckett will be on a real short leash....if he gets into trouble he'll get pulled and replaced by Byrd. Byrd's rested and ready. OTOH, if Beckett can pull this out, then we have Lester for game 7. I have to believe the next game will be like the last, pitch anyone at any time, as they did with Papelbon last night in the 7th. There is no more tomorrow to save for.

Therefore Lester goes next. I bet Francona is lying. Lester will be the Game 6 despite what is reported. Doesn't make sense any other way. Becket goes 7: if he does well leave him in; if he gives up 5 runs in the first inning you use your entire team . . . . can't do that if Beckett pitches tomorrow.

Beckett is pitching in game 6 unless he is hurt and can't pitch at all. There is no way Francona holds him back for a game 7, that doesn't make sense. You have to win both games and those are your two available starting pitchers, what would be the advantage to switching them? If anything it would show a lack of support for Beckett. You have to win game 6 first and if that means using every available pitcher except Lester then so be it even DiceK who could probably give them an inning. Beckett will be on a short leash, I wouldn't be surprised to see Papplebon in game early again.

TB still has a huge advantage but Beckett and Lester give the Red Sox a chance to pull it out.

And no one is really giving Francona credit for the way he managed the game yesterday, bringing in Papplebon in the 7th when he needed a shutdown pitcher and kept the Sox alive. Masterson is a walking heart attack though

You can't get to game 7 without winning game 6 . . . . you go with the better pitcher first: Lester. The value there is, in theory, Lester goes deeper then Beckett will. In game 7 everyone pitches. With Lester pitching you wouldn't need that option. You go Lester in game 6 and hope Beckett pitches well early in game 7. If he doesn't then you use up whoever you need to. That would be the better play, IMO.

That is backwards thinking. Beckett is the guy for game 6, if he is good enough to trust in game 7 then he is good enough in game 6.

I just like Beckett in 7 with the potential bullpen support.[/quote]

Assuming what you say is done (Lester on Saturday and Beckett on Game 7). You mention that this way, you get to use the whole bullpen including starters. Would you include Lester in this situation on 1 day rest? If yes, would it be for only a batter or two?

[CaptainP]

Well, that was painful to wake up to...

[CaptainP]

The difference between Red Sox fans and the towel wavers of the world and those who leave Yankee Stadium when their team is down (which is 90% of them) is that Fenway was more or less filled last night even after the Sox were down by 7.


In the words of the immortal Adam Sandler, "Uh oh . . . Happy learned how to putt."

Actually, they showed fans leaving after the score hit 7-0. I guess, unlike 1988 at Dodger stadium, they let people back in when the comeback got good.

[drunkpirate66]

The difference between Red Sox fans and the towel wavers of the world and those who leave Yankee Stadium when their team is down (which is 90% of them) is that Fenway was more or less filled last night even after the Sox were down by 7.


In the words of the immortal Adam Sandler, "Uh oh . . . Happy learned how to putt."

Actually, they showed fans leaving after the score hit 7-0. I guess, unlike 1988 at Dodger stadium, they let people back in when the comeback got good.

the few fans who left are "pussies". they deserve nothing and should be compared to those posers who fill the Rays stadium now that it is the "in" thing to do. Who leaves a playoff game! New Yorkers and towel wavers, thats who!

[CaptainP]

The difference between Red Sox fans and the towel wavers of the world and those who leave Yankee Stadium when their team is down (which is 90% of them) is that Fenway was more or less filled last night even after the Sox were down by 7.


In the words of the immortal Adam Sandler, "Uh oh . . . Happy learned how to putt."

Actually, they showed fans leaving after the score hit 7-0. I guess, unlike 1988 at Dodger stadium, they let people back in when the comeback got good.

the few fans who left are "pussies". they deserve nothing and should be compared to those posers who fill the Rays stadium now that it is the "in" thing to do. Who leaves a playoff game! New Yorkers and towel wavers, thats who!

Don't forget Dodgers fans. The stadium was 1/2 empty when Kurt Gibson hit his historic HR.

[drunkpirate66]

The difference between Red Sox fans and the towel wavers of the world and those who leave Yankee Stadium when their team is down (which is 90% of them) is that Fenway was more or less filled last night even after the Sox were down by 7.


In the words of the immortal Adam Sandler, "Uh oh . . . Happy learned how to putt."

Actually, they showed fans leaving after the score hit 7-0. I guess, unlike 1988 at Dodger stadium, they let people back in when the comeback got good.

the few fans who left are "pussies". they deserve nothing and should be compared to those posers who fill the Rays stadium now that it is the "in" thing to do. Who leaves a playoff game! New Yorkers and towel wavers, thats who!

Don't forget Dodgers fans. The stadium was 1/2 empty when Kurt Gibson hit his historic HR.

California baseball. Such a sin.

[CaptainP]

By the way, the ONLY time I've ever left a game early was when the friend I was with was ill. Seeing as he was a diabetic in need of a kidney transplant, I didn't put up a fight. But he did stick it out until the 7th, because there was a no-hitter going (broken up with 2 outs in bottom of 7th). Then we left.

I've even stayed through the end of a meaningless mid-June 16-inning game between 2 last-place teams.

[SuperTrooper]

6 days later and Wheeler is still trying to shake off the 3+ innings in game 2.

What the hell has happened to Manny Delcarmen???

Based on history, Boston Has Tampa right where they want them.

Can Beckett pull out a Schilling-like (bloody sock) performance after getting shelled in game 2?

[BottleofRum]

The difference between Red Sox fans and the towel wavers of the world and those who leave Yankee Stadium when their team is down (which is 90% of them) is that Fenway was more or less filled last night even after the Sox were down by 7.


In the words of the immortal Adam Sandler, "Uh oh . . . Happy learned how to putt."

Actually, they showed fans leaving after the score hit 7-0. I guess, unlike 1988 at Dodger stadium, they let people back in when the comeback got good.

the few fans who left are "pussies". they deserve nothing and should be compared to those posers who fill the Rays stadium now that it is the "in" thing to do. Who leaves a playoff game! New Yorkers and towel wavers, thats who!

Don't forget Dodgers fans. The stadium was 1/2 empty when Kurt Gibson hit his historic HR.

I am the category of "A Red Sox fan not limited to the Month of October" and there are many others like me but unfortunately a lot of "fans" who go to playoff games are not. They get tickets through connections or are corporate tickets and are not the type of fans you see see at a April or May game and definitely not the type of fans who will stay for a late game if the Sox are losing no matter what month. They show up for playoff game because it is an event onto itself and it is cool to be seen there and to say they went, they stick around until the going gets tough then they bail. They are easy to pick out, they always have a brand new clean Red Sox hat, or a freshly bought Red Sox shirt and they can't find their seats in Fenway without the help of an usher. Those are the people who leave early!

[SchoolGirlHeart]

I am the category of "A Red Sox fan not limited to the Month of October" and there are many others like me but unfortunately a lot of "fans" who go to playoff games are not. They get tickets through connections or are corporate tickets and are not the type of fans you see see at a April or May game and definitely not the type of fans who will stay for a late game if the Sox are losing no matter what month. They show up for playoff game because it is an event onto itself and it is cool to be seen there and to say they went, they stick around until the going gets tough then they bail. They are easy to pick out, they always have a brand new clean Red Sox hat, or a freshly bought Red Sox shirt and they can't find their seats in Fenway without the help of an usher. Those are the people who leave early!

what BoR said! I don't get the chance to see many games, but when I do it's 'til the bitter end, no matter the circumstances!

The ones who left last night? Not Real Fans.....

[TommyBahama]

The difference between Red Sox fans and the towel wavers of the world and those who leave Yankee Stadium when their team is down (which is 90% of them) is that Fenway was more or less filled last night even after the Sox were down by 7.


In the words of the immortal Adam Sandler, "Uh oh . . . Happy learned how to putt."

If Kazmir could pitch more then 6 innings....They don't come back...he had electric stuff last night....i would of stayed with him until they got in trouble!!..but they didn't and now the Red Sox have hope and a chance to come back from 3-1 down...AGAIN!!

well, you can thank the Rays for that...the long inning at the top of the 6th, with the colder conditions made it impossible for him to come out in the 7th inning. That, and maybe the Rays were just a little too cocky, not thinking they needed him!

Now here is the question . . . Beckett is, atleast right now, scheduled game 6. Why! Lester goes on normal rest. Lester is by far the better pitcher. If Beckett stinks in game 7 then you have an entire off season of pitchers to use. Everyone pitches game 7 if needed.

Interesting point. On the subject of Beckett, considering how he has pitched recently, if you were a manager, how "short of a leash" would you have Beckett on?

Beckett will be on a real short leash....if he gets into trouble he'll get pulled and replaced by Byrd. Byrd's rested and ready. OTOH, if Beckett can pull this out, then we have Lester for game 7. I have to believe the next game will be like the last, pitch anyone at any time, as they did with Papelbon last night in the 7th. There is no more tomorrow to save for.

it will be more like a choke chain....very short!!...but how many runs early does he give him...2...3...4...????

[drunkpirate66]

If Kazmir could pitch more then 6 innings....They don't come back...he had electric stuff last night....i would of stayed with him until they got in trouble!!..but they didn't and now the Red Sox have hope and a chance to come back from 3-1 down...AGAIN!!

well, you can thank the Rays for that...the long inning at the top of the 6th, with the colder conditions made it impossible for him to come out in the 7th inning. That, and maybe the Rays were just a little too cocky, not thinking they needed him!

Now here is the question . . . Beckett is, atleast right now, scheduled game 6. Why! Lester goes on normal rest. Lester is by far the better pitcher. If Beckett stinks in game 7 then you have an entire off season of pitchers to use. Everyone pitches game 7 if needed.

Interesting point. On the subject of Beckett, considering how he has pitched recently, if you were a manager, how "short of a leash" would you have Beckett on?

Beckett will be on a real short leash....if he gets into trouble he'll get pulled and replaced by Byrd. Byrd's rested and ready. OTOH, if Beckett can pull this out, then we have Lester for game 7. I have to believe the next game will be like the last, pitch anyone at any time, as they did with Papelbon last night in the 7th. There is no more tomorrow to save for.

it will be more like a choke chain....very short!!...but how many runs early does he give him...2...3...4...????

Hopefully less then 4. I am more curious to see how many innings Papelbon could go if needed. He was a 200 inning + top of the rotation prospect for years. I bet he could go 3 - 4 full innings if he had to.

[C-Dawg]

Interesting point. On the subject of Beckett, considering how he has pitched recently, if you were a manager, how "short of a leash" would you have Beckett on?

Beckett will be on a real short leash....if he gets into trouble he'll get pulled and replaced by Byrd. Byrd's rested and ready. OTOH, if Beckett can pull this out, then we have Lester for game 7. I have to believe the next game will be like the last, pitch anyone at any time, as they did with Papelbon last night in the 7th. There is no more tomorrow to save for.

Therefore Lester goes next. I bet Francona is lying. Lester will be the Game 6 despite what is reported. Doesn't make sense any other way. Becket goes 7: if he does well leave him in; if he gives up 5 runs in the first inning you use your entire team . . . . can't do that if Beckett pitches tomorrow.

Beckett is pitching in game 6 unless he is hurt and can't pitch at all. There is no way Francona holds him back for a game 7, that doesn't make sense. You have to win both games and those are your two available starting pitchers, what would be the advantage to switching them? If anything it would show a lack of support for Beckett. You have to win game 6 first and if that means using every available pitcher except Lester then so be it even DiceK who could probably give them an inning. Beckett will be on a short leash, I wouldn't be surprised to see Papplebon in game early again.

TB still has a huge advantage but Beckett and Lester give the Red Sox a chance to pull it out.

And no one is really giving Francona credit for the way he managed the game yesterday, bringing in Papplebon in the 7th when he needed a shutdown pitcher and kept the Sox alive. Masterson is a walking heart attack though

You can't get to game 7 without winning game 6 . . . . you go with the better pitcher first: Lester. The value there is, in theory, Lester goes deeper then Beckett will. In game 7 everyone pitches. With Lester pitching you wouldn't need that option. You go Lester in game 6 and hope Beckett pitches well early in game 7. If he doesn't then you use up whoever you need to. That would be the better play, IMO.

That is backwards thinking. Beckett is the guy for game 6, if he is good enough to trust in game 7 then he is good enough in game 6.

I just like Beckett in 7 with the potential bullpen support.[/quote] I still beleive Francona leaves the rotation alone...both games are equally important to go on to the next round, and this way they're both pitching on 5 days rest. Pitch Lester tomorrow night and he's pitching on 4 days rest, with Beckett coming in on 6 days rest. Part of Becketts problem may be rust, extra rest won't help that, and giving the ball to Lester in game 6 could also shake Beckett's confidence.