Yardbarker: Jon Lester

Hometown hero helps Sox get back on track

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:38:49 -0500

Sox 4, Mariners 0 WP: Lester (8-3) LP: Washburn (4-9) SV: Papelbon (29) HRs: BOS-Varitek (8) Summary: The Red Sox got a much needed win when local boy Jon Lester pitched 7+ solid innings, former Mariner Jason Varitek hit his first homer in over a month, and Jonathan Papelbon escaped a sticky situation in the eighth and then tossed [...]

Hometown hero helps Sox get back on track

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:38:49 -0500

David Ortiz inches closer to returning

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 10:10:14 -0500

While Jon Lester was baffling the easily-baffleable Seattle Mariners, David Ortiz was taking another step towards full recovery from his injury. Instead of playing in Triple-A Pawtucket (where he bought the team goat tacos and other gross sounding food), he was taking his swings with the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs. Big Papi went 2-3 with 2 singles and a walk; and is still on target to return to the Red Sox on Friday to face the Yankees.

Fantasy Baseball Players of the Day - 7/21/08

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 08:06:08 -0500

Monday, July 21st Miguel Cabrera went 5 for 6 with 2 Runs, 2 Doubles, and 6 RBI. Matt Joyce went 4 for 6 with 3 Runs, a Triple, a HR, and 5 RBI. James Loney went 3 for 6 with 2 Runs, a Triple, and 5 RBI. Troy Tulowitzki went 5 for 5. J.J. Hardy and Jason Bay each had 4 Hits. Curtis Granderson went 3 for 5 with 4 Runs. Carlos Guillen went 3 for 4 with 5 Runs, 2 RBI, and 2 Walks. Freddy Sanchez went 3 for 6 with 2 Runs, a HR, and 4 RBI. Bill Hall, Jason Kendall, Alexi Casilla, Denard Span, Jose Molina, Edgar Gonzalez, Nate McLouth, Xavier Nady, Kazuo Matsui, Russell Martin (3 Runs), Jeff Kent (3 Runs), Matt Holliday (3 RBI), Brad Hawpe (3 RBI), Ian Stewart, Manny Ramirez, and Howie Kendrick each had 3 Hits. Richie Weeks, A-Rod, Kevin Kouzmanoff, Josh Hamilton, and Gary Sheffield each had 3 RBI. Scott Kazmir gave up 2 Hits in 7 scoreless Innings with 9 Ks to improve to 8-5 with a 2.80 ERA. Jorge Campillo gave up 2 Hits in 7 scoreless Inningswith 6 Ks to improve to 5-4 with a 2.83 ERA. Randy Johnson also gave up 2 Hits in 7 scoreless Innings to improve to 7-7. Rich Harden gave up 1 Run on 1 Hits in 7 Innings with 10 Ks, but took the Loss. Jon Lester struck out 6 in 7-1/3 scoreless Innings to improve to 8-3 with a 3.20 ERA. Scott Feldman gave up 1 Run on 4 Hits in 6 Innings to improve to 4-3. Javier Vazquez gave up 3 Runs on 4 Hits in 7 Innings with 10 Ks, but took the Loss. Zach Miner gave up 3 Hits in 6 scoreless Innings to improve to 4-3 with a 3.73 ERA.

Red Sox @ Mariners: Can Lester stop the bleeding?

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:26:41 -0500

The Sox have dropped three in a row. Can Jon Lester stop the bleeding? Will the Sox ever win on the road again?

The new NIKE commercial featuring Jon Lester

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:52:08 -0500

The new NIKE commercial featuring Jon Lester... Bottom Line: Goose bumps.

New NIKE commercial featuring Jon Lester

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 09:50:07 -0500

Bottom Line: Goose bumps...

KEEP IT REAL FRIDAY

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 21:26:25 -0500

LynchyRightNow.Com is proud to present to you, Keep It Real Fridays. This week's edition will be the inaugural edition and released every Friday, barring tornadoes, hurricanes, incarceration, or anything else that might prevent me from doing so. First off I would like to tell you where I got the idea from, it's actually a good story. Last week, while listening to Patrick Crayton, wide receiver of the Dallas Cowboys, on an ESPN radio show, he revealed that each THURSDAY (we changed the day due to complications) the Cowboys lock themselves away and give all the players, coaches, and ex-wives (just kidding) time to KEEP IT REAL. Basically, they just sit in a room and let out all their frustrations with the team or anything else that is bothering them. I would like to mention that I'D LOVE TO BE IN THIS ROOM ANYDAY, ANYTIME. Romo talking about Jessica Simpson, T.O. (nuff said) and the rest of America's team airing it out for the whole team to KEEP IT REAL, that's priceless. Anyway, it got me to thinking, my life might be a whole lot calmer if I let everyone know, how to KEEP IT REAL! READ THE PAGE DAMNIT!

I hate to interrupt your Josh Hamilton Lovefest, but….

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:22:52 -0500

Amidst all of the Hamilton fawning, one major thing seems to be overlooked. This is not Jon Lester or Doug Davis recovering from cancer to pitch again, this is not Tony Gonzalez saving someone from choking. This is a recovering crack addict, who saved his own life and career. In the quest [...]

Actual AL Cy Young Odds

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:03:39 -0500

From Bodog.

Andy Pettitte, 50:1
Pettitte is actually one of the better longshots here. With 10 wins, he is only two behind Lee and Saunders. The problem is that he also has seven losses, and his ERA are over 4 (with his peripherals supporting about that level). 50:1 seems about right for him.

Cliff Lee, 9:2
I actually put Lee at exactly this price a few weeks ago. For him, not all that much had changed. Your AL All-Star starter has a good shot of being the best pitcher in the league, but the other factors that help you win a Cy Young--a good team record, a good bullpen, and a good offense--aren't exactly in his favor.

Ervin Santana, 13:2
It's interesting to see that Santana, with a higher ERA and fewer wins, has lower odds than Saunders. This makes sense, of course, since Santana has the peripherals to support his current stats, while Saunders does not. Santana is probably the third favorite at this point, and is priced accordingly.

Joe Saunders, 10:1
I would have him a little higher--probably somewhere between 12:1 and 15:1--but after factoring in juice, this makes sense. No value here.

John Danks, 20:1
Danks is actually fourth among AL pitchers in VORP, but only has seven wins. He would have to have a ridiculous second half to accumulate enough Ws to be considered.

John Lackey, 25:1
Lackey has gotten wins in six of his 11 starts, and has a 2.47 ERA. If he hadn't missed six weeks, he might be the favorite. As it stands, he has a lot of catching up to do. He's not completely out of it, but he obviously has a lot of catching up to do. Probably not a lot of value at 25:1.

Jon Lester, 20:1
Lester didn't make the All-Star team because he's only 7-3, and he's not a real Cy Young contender for the same reason. He had a nice first half, with a 3.38 ERA, but is due for some regression, as his strikeout, walk, and GB ratios are only average.

Josh Beckett, 12:1
He could stand to get some more ground balls, but Beckett has actually had a really good year, with a 107:24 K:BB ratio in 112 innings. He is probably the fifth most likely to win the award, so 12:1 makes sense.

Justin Duchscherer, 9:2
He really got screwed yesterday. He has been getting lucky all year though, with a .213 BABIP and a 4.8% HR/FB ratio. His QERA is 4.40, which is right around his PECOTA projection. He's got a shot, but he certainly doesn't deserve to be priced right with Lee and Halladay.

Mariano Rivera, 6:1
I don't really understand this at all. Why is he here and not K-Rod? I get that Mariano has a low ERA, and hasn't blown a save, but this is ridiculous. He only has 23 saves, and he has three losses. And I don't care how good his K:BB ratio is (50:4), if the Yankees don't make the playoffs, he's got no chance.

Mike Mussina, 20:1
This is about right. 11 wins and a decent ERA. Not exactly a thrilling candidacy, but he's in the mix. Mussina also might get some points for the 250 wins he recorded prior to this year. His best Cy Young finish was second, in 1999 (although it wasn't exactly close).

Roy Halladay, 5:1
I think this is too high. What's not to like? 11-6 so far, with a 2.71 ERA. Best QERA in the league, at 3.07. Best FIP, at 2.86. Most innings, with 146.1. An outrageous amount of ground balls (56%). 121:21 K:BB ratio. And a very good track record prior to this season. All that, and he's priced below Justin Duchscherer? The only problem is Toronto's offense, which isn't exactly a juggernaut. Even so, if there's value in any of these, I think it's with Halladay.

Field, 9:2
This includes Matsuzaka, Kazmir, King Felix, Gavin Floyd, and of course K-Rod. I'm not sure why some of those guys aren't listed while Lester and Danks are, but I also don't think 9:2 is particularly high for that group.

Bodog also has odds on the NL Cy Young, and the MVP in both leagues.

Red Sox set post All-Star Game rotation

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 12:19:33 -0500

Terry Francona has announced the new starting rotation for the Red Sox, set to begin after the All-Star break. The scheduling is in order to get Lester and Beckett a bit of extra rest.

The Bottom Line comments on FireBrand's Mid-Season Awards

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:41:55 -0500

Is JD Drew the mid-season MVP? -- Who was the biggest surprise of the first half? -- Who was the biggest disappointment? Fire Brand of the AL gives out there awards and The Bottom Line chimes in...

"B-Moss" and Manny lead 8th inning rally over Twins!

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:43:58 -0500

Manny's home run and Brandon Moss' RBI single in the 8th gave the Red Sox their 2nd win in a row over the Twins last night.

Chalk It Up, Another One For the Good Guys!

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 09:31:44 -0500

Minnesota Twins: No more shines, Sox. Boston Red Sox: What? Minnesota Twins: We said, no more shines. Maybe you didn't hear about it, you've been away a long time. They didn't go up there and tell you. We don't shine shoes anymore. Boston Red Sox: Relax, will ya? Ya flip right out, what's got into you? We're breaking your balls a little bit, that's all. We're only kidding with ya… Minnesota Twins: Sometimes you guys don't sound like you're kidding, you know, there's a lotta people around…in Fenway. Boston Red Sox: I'm only kidding with you, we're having a party, we just came home (to Boston) and we haven't seen you guys in a long time and we're breaking your balls, and you're getting fucking fresh. We're sorry, we didn't mean to offend you. [...]

AccuScore Closer Report - 7/7

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:00:47 -0500

There is a new look to the Closer Report this week with expanded coverage of bullpen situations around baseball and rankings for the top fantasy closers and middle relievers. This week AccuScore analyst looks at the All-Star relievers, and has a problem with the selection of one player in particular. Also, the trade deadline is approaching so which closers could be swapping uniforms in the near future?