Bostons Rotation?

Question

Does anyone else agree that at this point Bostons rotation is way overrated? I mean, they have a rookie pitcher from Japan who has never pitched in the big leagues an old man who is way past his prime a washed up nuckleballer, and a pitcher who gave up 30 something homers. Papelbon is not going to be as good as he was last year, hitters were starting to figure him out. count on his era being at least 3 runs higher then last year. They have the chance of being ok but not the best in baseball. Who else agrees?

Answer 1

I'm gonna address everything you said, but I'm gonna start from the end and go back.

First of all, If Papelbon's era goes up 3 runs from last year, his era will be 3.92 will will be near the top in the AL. And what playerws started to figure him out? He ended the season with a 0.92 era. Enough said.

Next Josh Beckett will have a much better year than he did last year. Last year was a transitional year and he will win between 16-20 games this year.

As for Wakefield, he won't even be in the rotation if Lester is back to where he was last year before he was diagnosed with cancer. Regardless, knuckleballers can pitch into their 50's and 60's. Just look at Charlie Hough.

There is no reason to think that Curt Schilling isn't capable of being a dominant pitcher this year. He was 15-7 last year with an era under 4 and he has something to prove this year because he is filing for free agency after the season.

Lastly, if the Yankees were able to get Matsuzaka like they tried to do, all you Yankees fans would be saying how awesome he is going to be. Its true, he has never pitched in the major leagues, but he did pitch in the WBC and he has been given unbelievable scouting reports by all teams. Also, lookup up his career numbers vs. Ichiro and Matsui.

And anyone that says they do not have a good offense is obviously stupid. They have a better offense than they did last year. They still have Ortiz, Manny, Lowell, Varitek, Youkilis, and Pena. They have upgraded Alex Gonzales with Julio Lugo and upgraded Trot Nixon with JD Drew. Coco Crisp is healthy now and should be back to the form he was in last year before he got hurt.

I am a huge Red Sox fan, but above all, I am a baseball fan. But it really pisses me off when people start saying stupid things like the Red Sox don't have a good pitching staff or offense. I mean really, thats like me saying the Yankees don't have a good offense. I really hate the Yankees, but that would just be stupid of me to say that. Smarten up people.

Answer 2

Me being a Sox fan... I OUGHT TO PIMP SLAP YOU!!

What are talking about! Dice-K has been playing amazing lately did you even see the Sox game today he snagged a guy and struck-out like 3-4 guys in 3 shutout innings. And Schilling isn't way past his prime. Yes he may not be what he use to be but, he still is a 13+ winner with a 3.80+ ERA. Wakefield is still good. At 40 he still is pitching 13 win seasons. Only other active pitchers who can do that is Randy Johnson and Roger Clemens. Papelbon is very excited to be starting, and he will be doing as much as he can to be as great as a starter as he was a closer.

So, don't start making stupid statements like the Sox rotation is overrated. It's getting as much publicity as it should be being this good.

Answer 3

I don't agree with you at all. First of all, Tim Wakefield will not be in the starting rotation this year, John Lester will.Schilling- He is still won of the more dominate pitchers in baseball, and can put up 15 wins.
Beckett- had a rough year last year, but it was his first year in Boston and that stadium is hard to get used to. So this will be a breakout year for him.Papelbon- Has lots of good stuff especially with the addition of his new curveball. I do agree he wont be as good as last year but 3 runs higher on his era is still good.Lester- great rookie with lots of potential. I have so much respect for him after fighting cancer. Matsuzaka- I saw this guy pitch on ESPN the other day and it looks like he has some great stuff, but he is the question mark in the rotation. H e is going to have a lot of pressure on him this year to be great right of the bat. I don't see him getting a cy young, but I do see him putting up at least 12 wins with an era below 4. I don't think the red sox have the best rotation but there one of them. Its not the starting rotation thats the problem its the bullpen.

Answer 4

well first off the sox rotation isn't overrated. Sure they got dice-k and thats what all the hype is about. He's going to be phenominal, but if your a true sox fan you know your not going to get 17-20 wins from schilling or wakefield, they are both old and out of their prime, but that doesn't mean they cant have solid years. As for Beckett; he will have a better year this year last year he was just getting used to the american league, and he will bounce back he may not be a 20 game winner but he will have a solid year. And they will be way over a .500 team this year, if not a contender to be playing towards the end of october. Its not all about pitching either just look at their lineup, its improved even more than it has last year. Sure they didn't re-sign gonzalez or loretta but hopefully lugo doesn't turn out a bust like renteria, and pedroia is a solid young kid who is steadily improving. And for j.d. drew, well this guy better be worth the god damn money their paying for him. And as for papi and manny they'll put up the same numbers they do every year. and if everyone else stays healthy they should be able to win the al east for the first time in many, many years.

Answer 5

Agreed! A triple A pitcher with no major league experience that cost the Sox $102M. Wow, that makes a lot of sense. "The Schill", another waste of money. He's nothing more than a legend in his own mind. Wakefield is probably their best pitcher and he's, what, 89 years old??? These are just some of the reason the Red Sox will finish 3rd behind the Yankees and Blue Jays.

Answer 6

Real low calling some1 a retard. Also, this rotation is in the bottom 5 in the MLB. Ortiz will do what he does (being overrated, but putting up numbers), Manny will do his thing (being an absolute asshole), and the Sox won't make the playoffs because of this rotation, which is horrible. Am I supposed to be impressed with Dice - K pitching against BC, or even the Marlins? The Sox goal this year should be 2 get 2 .500

Answer 7

Lol no, never..... The Yankees do not even have an astounding rotation not to show the Sox. The Tampa Bay Rays have the terrific rotation interior the AL East. All 5 of their pitchers are suitable-notch. Sox basically have the terrific lineup. it somewhat is all they actually excel at.

Answer 8

I think the Red Sox will have the best rotation in the AL East. Schilling, Beckett, Matsuzaka, Lester, Wakefield or Snyder or Papelbon. On paper it is definitely a legit rotation. Papelbon may go back to the bullpen. They have power and defense. I think they will win the AL East. Yeah, I am a little prejudiced, but we all get to be this time of year. Go Sox.

Answer 9

It is Over hyped, if you go off of what you saw from Schilling, Beckett, Lester, and Wakefield last year, the expectations ARE a bit much for this year.

Schillings old, he started to show it last year.. he had alot of those games where a pitcher gives up a 4 or 5 run inning... but other than Schilling, i think Becketts going to be good, better than he was last year.. Matsuzaka (i refuse to call him Dice-K, UGH!) i think is the real deal... Wakefield is Wakefield, 14-15 wins, he'll be good... Papelbon, if he stays a starter, i dont think he will, but if he does i think he'll win 15-17 games.... I think their Starting staff is good... but i think the Yankees are deeper. Pettite, Mussina, Wang, Pavano (who i think will haveta be shot not to pitch now because of all the ill will he has generated for himself in the yankee clubhouse), and Igawa as the 5 starter and the best starting pitching prospect in MLB in Phillip Hughes sitting in wait, is deeper than Boston. As is Detroits with Verlander, Rogers, Maroth, Bonderman, and Robertson. And So is Chicago with Garland, Buherle, Vasquez, Contreras, and the Phillips kid. Boston is good... but they are in no way shape and form sure bets.. alot has to go right for boston to be what boston people seem to think they are going to be,,, seriously... Matsuzaka needs to be worthy of the money and hype and thats not going to be easy considering he's never pitched in MLB or anywhere like the American League who can throw 5 runs up on you in an inning... Schilling is aging, its nice to say he will be better, but he wasnt hurt last year, he simply began to show age like any normal human being does.... Beckett needs to shake off his first AL season....Papelbon need s to adjust to starting and hope that pen in boston doesnt implode and suck him back into closing... Lester, if he comes back to start needs consistency, because what i remember about him was before her got ill was he was TERRIBLY inconsistent and driving Boston people nuts... ALOT hasta go right for Boston to live up to their hype...we'll See.

Answer 10

You are dreaming, man. Boston's rotation is healthy and strong. So is their lineup!! They stand to win it all in October. You sound like a Yankee fan, bitter and disappointed.

Chow!!