John Lackey has not lived up to the pitcher who beat the Red Sox & pitched so well against the Yankees in the playoffs last year. This afternoon he laid a big egg against the Jays as the Sox dropped the middle game 9-5.
Lackey gave up 7 runs, 7 hits & 6 walks in 5+ innings. His teammates bailed him out of a 3-run 1st inning by scoring 3 of their own in the 2nd & re-took the lead 4-3. But Lackey couldn't hold it. This may be his worst performance of the year. And it's the free bases via walks that exascerbate the situation.
You have to wonder now about Terry Francona going too long with his starters. He did it in Tampa with Dice-K & Lebrount. He did it with Lackey today. If I'm looking at 3 days off & only 1 more game on Sunday, I think every pitcher is available. In defense of Francona, the bullpen has been horrible lately. But if a starter doesn't have it you hope someone from the pen can get 3 outs for you &, if not, go onto the next pitcher.
Bullpen help is my key to the trade deadline this year.
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