9/25: Lester in New York

GAME NOTES: Jon Lester, the probable ace in October, duels against Joba Chamberlain who is fighting for his rotation spot (versus Chad Gaudin).

Should Jon Lester start Game 1 or 2?

Today, Rob Neyer talked about the news that Jon Lester was going to be the No. 1 starter for the Sox in the ALDS. While he concedes that on some ends it makes sense, he gave more face time to making the case for Lester starting Game 2. I’m here to disagree.

Neyer’s two points: One, the Angels are predominantly right-handed. Two, by starting Lester in Game 1 (and theoretically game 2) you lose the chance to have Lester starting in Yankee Stadium twice.

In a response to both points: Lester is starting against the Angels no matter what. Whether that’s Game 1 or Game 2, so this point is really only valid for Game 5… if it’s even played.

If it is, Lester has been far and away the Sox’s best pitcher this year. Boston has to start him in Game 5 — it’s a do-or-die game and you have to have your best pitcher on the mound.

If there is no Game 5 and the Sox advance, Lester will be slated to start Games 2 and 6 (maybe even Game 1 if the Sox sweep) at Yankee Stadium.

So we either get Lester starting Games 2 and 6, or starting a do-or-die game where you need your best pitcher. Seems like sound logic to me.

Deadline Darlings: Bay vs. Martinez

For two consecutive seasons, Theo Epstein and the Boston Red Sox front office have made a splash on the infamous “Deadline Day”. His shrewd ability to assess his team and aggressively make maneuvers to address any weaknesses or “fatal flaws” has been well documented and proven out year over year.

The question I pose to you all today, is who was larger impact on their respective teams in the year of their deadline day acquisition; Jason Bay in 2008 or Victor Martinez in 2009?

Of course much of VMart’s story is still to be written and Bay’s success last post-season places a high bar against which Martinez will be measured, but there is certainly enough of a sample between July 31 and today from which to engage the conversation.

BOS 10, KC 3 – Clay Delivers, KC Flops… Again

Red Sox 10 – Kansas City 3

Apparently, playing spoiler isn’t as fun as the media makes it out to be. You get burned more often than you succeed.

With little more than a week left in the season, the Royals look to put the finishing touches on another disappointing campaign.

KC has played admirably in the last few days, though tonight they were clearly overmatched by a young fireballer at the top of his game. In the end, the Royals got their scheduled paychecks, while the Sox got additional restitution for Tuesday’s loss and draw one step closer to the Wild Card.