Beckett moved to game 3 with injury...if that.

[MaineDolFan]

Boston will be tossing Lester, Matsuzaka and then Beckett in games 1, 2 and 3 against Anaheim's Lackey, Santana and Sorenson.  I'm not sure I'm buying Boston's reasons for moving Josh, and no - none of this is inside stuff.  Haven't talked to the guy in a couple weeks and I don't know a thing about what is really going on.

If Boston has to go into the playoffs without Beckett, even at 85-90%, this might not be pretty.  Lester has been great at home, terrible on the road.  Matsuzaka has been efficient at home and away but can't get out of the 5th inning.  In this situation they might be forced to throw Byrd and Wakefield in situations where the matchups are really not calling for either guy.

I'm not liking this as a Boston fan.  I hope the Sox are being honest about this, I'm not sure they are.  Tito was strangely silent about the lineups last week.  He wouldn't commit to Josh being his #1 last Wednesday...and then Friday Josh tweaked a couple things in a bullpen session?

Things that make you go hmmmm.

Boston has a better offense than Anaheim, bullpens are washes, starting pitching is a wash if Boston has Beckett and tilted way over to the Angels if they don't.

Beckett goes in game three and I like this series to go 5 with a coin flip to decide the winner.  Beckett can't go and I like Anaheim to win it in 4.

[simeon]

I wanted to ask you about Beckett Maine. He did not have a dominant year this year like last year. Was he hurt or was was he trying a new delivery of pitches? I know there are times you end up in pitching duels so your team doesn't score for you, but that can't be true for the whole season. Could they throw Masteson into the starting line up ?

[MaineDolFan]

Beckett didn't have a terrible year but it wasn't a great one.  When he was on he was on.  When he was off he was still usually good enough to be close for a win, he didn't get lit up too many times.

Masterson will not start in the playoffs.  No way, no how.  Remember that this is a kid that never spent a complete year in AA or even AAA.  He started the year in Portland, was moved to Pawtucket and then came up.  You can't do that.  I would be shocked if he sees much action at all, they will use him as they might a specialist, one or two out type guy.

The Sox will most likely carry Wakefield and Byrd on the roster this round and leave off Timlin.

[SportsChick]

I can't say as that would upset me

[Pats2006]

Telling you I dont think the Sox have the pitching to go far!!  Hope the can get through the 1st series!!!

[MaineDolFan]

I think they do as long as Beckett is healthy.

[SportsChick]

Which is an if. Wasn't he going to throw a side today? Or was that tomorrow?

[EDGECRUSHER]

I would have Wakefield in Game 2 and Matsuzaka in Game 3, or Game 4 if Beckett can go. Like you said Maine, the guy can't get out of the 5th. His ERA and W-L are phenomenal, but you have to feel the least confident in his starts.

Wakefield on the other hand has completed his billionth season in a row of solid pitching for Boston and has the experience. I have always admired Wakefield, not just for his charitable work but for his consistent "very goodness" for Boston. Most underrated player in baseball and those bastards in Boston have him for life.

[MaineDolFan]

You can't pitch Wakefield against the Angels, he has a terrible track record against them.  And you can run at will on Tim.

Josh did throw yesterday and he told me "I feel pretty f'n solid."  So we'll see.

[SportsChick]

Well that makes me breathe a sigh of relief. Lets go Lester tonight