Yardbarker: Josh Beckett

Angels get to Beckett, drop Sox again

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 13:32:33 -0500

Angels 4, Sox 2 WP: Arredondo (4-0) LP: Beckett (9-6) SV: Rodriguez (39) HRs: BOS-Youkilis (17); LAA-Guerrero (16) Summary: Boston was cruising along with a 2-0 lead courtesy of a two-run jack by Kevin Youkilis until Josh Beckett, who had shut the Angels down all day, allowed four runs in the seventh inning, three coming on a pinch hit [...]

Angels get to Beckett, drop Sox again

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 13:32:33 -0500

Weekend Preview: Red Sox @ Angels

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:44:45 -0500

Buchholz v Lackey... Beckett v Saunders... and Wakefield v Weaver... possible ALDS preview... ???

Red Sox Notes: Ortiz hits homer in Pawtucket rehab

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 07:56:15 -0500

"That's my game," David Ortiz said outside the PawSox clubhouse, "It feels good ... to be able to swing like that after an injury when I couldn't hold onto my bat." Big Papi's wrist appears to be healed and the Red Sox slugger looks ready for a big second half.

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.

VOTE DOUG : REDSOX NATION MAYOR

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:35:56 -0500

One of our OWN, Doug Koehler, is running for Governor of Red Sox Nation. This is your time people to help Doug get elected. Do your part, over and over again, and VOTE today for Doug, a true MEL-NA-HOLIC!!!

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.

Josh Beckett enjoys irony - VIEDO

Thu, 10 Jul 2008 06:46:06 -0500

Josh Beckett has been handed some tough losses this season, but he earned the win yesterday, despite giving up 5 runs in 5 innings, thanks to an 18-5 shellacking of the Twins by the Red Sox offense...

Red Sox ready for sweep of Twins

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:44:50 -0500

Hernandez (9-5, 5.18) vs. Beckett (8-5, 3.70) Game 3 of 3 1:05 @ Fenway Park I missed last night's scintillating, come-from-behind Boston victory, the one where Manny tied the game with a two run homer and minutes later Brandon Moss knocked in the game winning run in a four run eighth inning, due to the fact that [...]

Youkilis' wacky triple, Lowell's HR beat Yankees

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:00:58 -0500

It was a wacky day in the Bronx, but the Sox pulled out the win, while the Yankees continue to sputter...

Best players at each position among AL East powers

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:04:09 -0500

Prompted by a few questions on the subject, I decided to do my own version of the AL East player debates. Solely focusing on the three best teams—record-wise at the midway point—in the American League East, here are my picks for the top players at each position among the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays.

AccuScore: MLB Prospect Watch

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:24:56 -0500

With the futures game coming up, AccuScore fantasy expert Tim Williams look at some current fantasy stars who were former participants of the futures game, and also looks at some of this year's participants who could be future fantasy stars.

Josh Beckett's Beckett's Buddy Raffle

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 09:23:10 -0500

With his upcoming event, Beckett Bowl, Josh Beckett has decided to raffle off an opportunity to join in. In addition, the grand prize offers an amazing package. For as little as $10 you could win this amazing prize. For more information and to enter the raffle please visit www.netraffle.org. Below is more information on the raffle including the Grand Prize Package. Here's your chance to compete in Beckett Bowl 2008 and to enjoy a special day at Fenway Park with Josh Beckett. Drawing Date: Monday, July 7, 2008 Entry Deadline: 9:00 AM EDT July 7, 2008 Enter the "Josh Beckett Foundation's Beckett's Buddy Raffle " and help Josh Beckett with his efforts to support community based organizations that strive to improve the health and well-being of children; especially children who are seriously ill, disabled, poor, or otherwise disadvantaged. GRAND PRIZE: • Winner will receive One (1) Bowling lane with Winner's family name or corporate logo over the lane at Beckett Bowl 2008, which will be held on Thursday July 10, 2008 at Twin Lanes, Malden, MA • Winner and 3 guests will receive Four (4) Bowler Credentials to participate in the Tournament with a celebrity guest • Winner and 3 guests will be personally coached for One (1) frame by Josh Beckett • Winner will receive Four (4) Guest Credentials for relatives and friends to attend the Bowling Tournament • Winner will receive Two (2) additional After Party tickets (access is already included with Bowler and Guest Credentials • Winner will receive Four (4) parking passes • Winner will receive Four (4) Beckett Bowl Reebok Team T-Shirts and (4) Tournament Gift Bags • Winner will be recognized on the official Beckett Bowl web site • Winner and a Guest will attend a (mutually agreed to) Red Sox Game as Josh Beckett's special guest (Two (2) Tickets) • Winner and Guest will have special access to watch batting practice • Winner and Guest will meet Josh Beckett at Fenway Park and have photo taken with Josh Beckett (Photo will later be autographed by Josh Beckett) • Winner will receive Two (2) autographed Josh Beckett Jerseys • Winner will also receive a cash prize in the amount of $565.00 to mitigate the Winner's tax liability that results from winning the raffle. This prize is withheld and paid, on behalf of the Winner, directly to the IRS ($467.00) and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts ($98.00)

Best Curve in MLB?

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 06:25:03 -0500

Instead of doing what I usually do, which is tell you who has the best curve by me looking at it on SportsCentre highlights, I am going to look at the top MLB curveball-tossers and use stats to back up my argument.

2008 Fantasy All Stars

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:23:03 -0500

While the AL is trouncing the NL in interleague play yet again, the NL has emerged as the Talent League, with the majority of elite fantasy players residing in the Senior of the two circuits. The Fantasy Baseball Hall of Fame takes a step back at the virtual midpoint of the season to construct All Star rosters in each league and to ask where are all the great players dead, in the heart or in the head?