Leaning Toward Lester

Terry Francona told reporters that his plan is to have Jon Lester start Game 4 of the ALDS (if necessary) at Fenway Park and have Josh Beckett pitch Game 5 (if necessary).  Lester would be going on 3 days rest and if he does not feel ready for the start Dice-K would go, assuming he is not needed tonight or Sunday in early relief of Beckett or Buchholz.

Not the greatest effort by the Red Sox on Thursday night against the Angels as they opened the 2009 postseason.Jon Lester was terrific for the first four innings, before throwing a grapefruit over the plate to Torii Hunter, who mashed into the rocks in left center. John Lackey was even better, going 7 1/3 shutout innings to get the win, 5-0. The Sox only had one legitimate threat...

Here are some background numbers of tonight's starters for Game 1 of the American League Division Series between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Boston Red Sox.John Lackey2009 regular season stats11-8 record, 3.83 ERA, 27 games, 176.1 IP, 177 hits, 84 runs, 75 ER, 17 HR, 47 BB, 139 strikeoutsPost-season career (4 season, 7 series)2-3 (0-2 against Boston), 3.39 ERA, 11 games...

ALDS Game 1: October 8, 2009 Red Sox 0 L: Jon Lester (0-1) 0-1 Angels 5 W: John Lackey (1-0) 1-0 Highlights: Having Don Orsillo as play-by-play man is almost like having a postseason game on NESN. Buck Martinez spoiled the effect by sprinkling in imperceptive comments here and

The Angels had never scored an earned run off the Red Sox pitcher until Torii Hunter's home run Thursday. And it's the first time the Angels have led the Red Sox in a playoff series since 1986. The Angels had never scored an earned run off the Red Sox pitcher until Torii...

OK, Announcer Boy Don Orsillo and Buck Martinez, with Buck being ONE of 26 Broadcast Partners for Mr Orsillo on NESN, while we awaited the Return of Gerald Peter Remy from his Illness, were fine these last two evenings, unlike the Pitching of Mr Jon Lester and Mr Josh Beckett, and the Nonexistent Offense:I've heard of Vacations but this is ridiculous. Making John Lackey and Jerrold...

First pitch: 9:37pmTV: TBSPitching ProbablesJohn Lackey (11-8, 3.83 ERA) vs. Jon Lester (15-8, 3.41 ERA)

The Angels were beaten. They had to be. Down 5-2 in the eighth inning and facing two stellar relievers lined up to close the game, they could only look to tomorrow and a Game 4 match-up between Joe Saunders and Jon Lester. Or at least, that’s what it looked like. But appearances can be deceiving. Once again, I [...]

Boston's Jon Lester struck out Vladimir Guerrero on three pitches with the bases loaded to end the third inning of a scoreless duel with Los Angeles' John Lackey in their playoff opener on Thursday night.

Game 2 - American League Division SeriesAngels 4, Red Sox 1Angels lead 2-0Let's review the bidding, then. In two ALDS games, the Red Sox have one run. Okay, that'll be just about enough. Sure, Josh Beckett and Jon Lester could've been a little better, but when you're pitching with a razor-thin margin for error, sometimes you get cut. Pretty simple game, baseball. You throw the ball, you catch

The Boston Red Sox won eight of their last nine with Jon Lester on the mound. They face John Lackey tonight in Anaheim in game one of the ALDS. Comment away. Boston Red Sox Jacoby Ellsbury CF Dustin Pedroia 2B Victor Martinez C Kevin Youkilis 1B David Ortiz DH Jason...