Don’t expect John Lackey to turn into Jeff Suppan.
The Boston Red Sox acquired Suppan at the 2003 trade deadline from the Pittsburgh Pirates in an effort to improve their postseason chances. Suppan struggled to adapt to the pressure of pitching in Boston, and posted an ERA over 5.00 in 11 games for the team.
Lackey understands the pressure of pitching in Boston. The city does not intimidate the new acquisition. In fact, nothing does.
“I’ll never be intimidated,” Lackey told the Boston Herald. “That’s not something that’s going to happen.”
The right-hander boasts a 3.12 ERA in 14 career postseason games and, as a rookie, started Game 7 of the 2002 World Series on short rest. The Angels won their first World Series title in franchise history as Lackey held the Giants to one run over five innings.
“It was definitely a confidence boost that [Angels manager Mike] Scioscia gave me the opportunity, because it wasn’t even my day to start,” Lackey told the Herald. “For him to show that kind of confidence in me definitely helped out. It’s something I’ve built off of. He gave me the ball in a lot of Game 1’s. It was something that started our relationship, and it worked out pretty well for us.”
Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell is happy the Red Sox have Lackey on their side.
“To have him in our uniform now, from what we’ve seen across the field, not only the talent, but the competitive fire and nature inside of him, that will really fit well with the guys we have on our team,” Farrell told the Herald. “Particularly with the guys we have in our rotation.”
Lackey relishes the opportunity to pitch against the iron of the American League regularly.
“Throughout the league, the AL East is recognized as the best division in baseball, for sure. But it’s going to bring out the best in me,” Lackey told the Herald. “Any home game over here is going to be like a playoff game. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
John Lackey’s playoff success proves he thrives under pressure. In 2010, he’ll need to prove it in Boston.
