Among the current Red Sox pitchers, only Beckett and Daisuke Matsuzaka have earned the starting nod on Opening Day in a Red Sox uniform since 2000, joining legends and future Hall of Fame candidates Curt Schilling, David Wells and Pedro Martinez.
The Red Sox have won their last three Opening Day matchups, as well as four of the last five. Even though Beckett backed the last two Opening Day victories, is he deserving of this year’s nod from Terry Francona to start on April 1?
Beckett has been leading the Red Sox rotation since 2008, which recently earned him the highest contract among the starting pitchers on the team. However, his numbers and consistency has tapered off on Opening Day and throughout the season in the recent past. In 2009, Beckett tossed seven innings, allowing only two hits, one run and three walks in the Opening Day start. Last season, he tossed only 4 2/3 innings, allowing eight hits, five runs and three walks.
Though Beckett was mediocre in his first spring training appearance this year, allowing one run and two walks over two innings, he looked great in his second outing on Tuesday, allowing one run, three hits (two were misplayed balls by the defense), and one walk while striking out four batters in 3 2/3 innings.
Lester is gradually solidifying his reputation as one of the best pitchers in the majors. Last year he finished fourth in American League Cy Young voting with a 19-9 record on top of a 3.25 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 225 strikeouts. However, he’s been a slow starter, opening his first three starts with an 0-2 record and an 8.44 ERA last season. But in one spring training start so far, Lester allowed no runs, one hit, one walk and struck out one batter over two innings. If given the nod, he would be the first left-hander to start on Opening Day since David Wells in 2005.
On the other hand, Buchholz is another rising star deserving of Opening Day starter considerations. Last year, he finished sixth in the American League Cy Young voting after going 17-7 with a phenomenal 2.33 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. On top of that, he was solid in his two spring training outings, allowing no runs, one hit and two walks over five innings. Buchholz is only 26 years old, which would make him the youngest Opening Day starter since Aaron Sele in 1995 when he was 24.
Still, spring training is more about the process than the product.
“In spring training, the quality of the pitches is more important than the batters you’re facing,” Francona told reporters.
On Tuesday, Beckett “felt more comfortable” and his curveball looked great, striking out three batters with the pitch. On Monday, Lester’s stuff was electrifying during a simulated game, and the southpaw said he “almost felt too good.” Additionally, Buchholz was “just lights out” in his debut and has felt smooth and “on the right road so far.”
Francona may be staying tight-lipped about his Opening Day starter, but if you had your choice, who would you pick?
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