Lackey cemented his place in Angels lore as a 24-year-old ace in that 2002 Fall Classic when he won the deciding game against the San Francisco Giants. Lackey has since had a bit of a reputation as a big-game pitcher.
The Red Sox, who are in the fight of their lives to stay in the playoff hunt, need Lackey's big-game potential more than ever right now. Up to this point in his career, Lackey's second-half numbers have been better than his first-half stats.
He's won 60 percent of his second-half decisions for his career, while posting a 3.74 ERA which is almost a quarter of a run lower than his first-half ERA. In regular season games in September and October, Lackey has a .613 winning percentage to go along with a 3.56 ERA.
If Lackey keeps pitching the way he has so far this season in the second half, he may be one of the reasons the Red Sox could still be playing meaningful games in September and October. While he hasn't won a decision since the All-Star break, Lackey has been great since the unofficial half-way point.
Since the break, Lackey's posted a minuscule 1.20 ERA in 15 innings. He flirted with a no-hitter in his last start at Seattle, and has held his opponents to a .170 batting average.
He was brought in to be a supplementary ace to Jon Lester and Josh Beckett and a strong second half could go a long way in solidifying him in that role.
For the Red Sox to stay in the playoff hunt, they will certainly need the John Lackey who steps it up in the second half. So, what kind of second half will John Lackey give the Red Sox?
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