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ALCS Preview: Tonight’s Pitching Matchup — Beckett vs Kazmir
By Administrator | October 11, 2008
Josh Beckett had a rough year in 2008… he had a decent first half, but broke down after the all-star break… ultimately ending up on the disabled list after allowing eight runs in just 2 1/3 innings to the Toronto Blue Jays on August 17th.
Overall, the native of Spring, TX, went 12-10, 4.03, in 27 starts… but he went only 7-5, 2.85, in 15 starts away from Fenway Park. Against the Rays, he was 2-1, 2.06.
During his career, the Sox ace has come to be known for his dominance in the postseason play. Last October, he was 4-0, 1.20, in four starts… in the ‘08 ALDS he made one start and got a No Decision (5 IP, 4 ER, 9 H). In his career, he is 6-2, 2.09, in 11 playoff appearances (10 starts).
Beckett made his ALDS start coming off an oblique injury and an extended side session… don’t be surprised to see a different Beckett tonight — the typically-dominant righty who DOMINATES in the post-season.
Rays DH Cliff Floyd is hitting .286 in his career against Beckett (8-for-28) with 2 HR and 4 RBI… Akinori Iwamura is hitting .313 against him (7-for-22) with 1 HR and 1 RBI.
BJ Upton has struck out six times in twelve at-bats (.250, 3-for-12).
Tampa Bay southpaw Scott Kazmir had a solid but unspectacular season — owing, in part, to the fact that he missed the first six weeks of the season with an injury. He finished the season at 12-8, 3.49, striking out 166 hitters in 152 1/3 innings pitched… he was 8-2, 2.90, in 14 starts at The Trop.
He was 0-2, 9.00, against the Red Sox this season… in four starts, he allowed nineteen runs (eighteen earned) on twenty-four hits and fourteen walks in eighteen innings pitched. Yikes!
Kaz won his only start against the White Sox in the ALDS… he went 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on eight hits and two walks.
Dustin Pedroia has OWNED Kazmir — he is hitting .560 against the southpaw (14-for-25) with 1 HR and 3 RBI… Jason Bay is hitting .333 (3-for-9) with 1 HR and 2 RBI. The lefty has had very good success against David Ortiz, although when Big Papi gets ahold of one he hits it a long way (.205, 8-for-39, 2 HR and 8 RBI).
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Game 2 Prediction:
Kazmir has had very good success against the Sox over his career (6-7, 3.62)… I expect the Red Sox will see the Kazmir of years past in this game, not the guy who couldn’t find the plate against them earlier in the year.
But, honestly, I don’t think it will matter. If the offense gets Beckett two runs I think the Red Sox come home up 2-0… I expect Beckett will look like the masterful pitcher of last October.
Red Sox-4, Rays-2.
Jason Bay will continue to torment Kazmir… Pedroia will do likewise.
Topics: MLB Playoffs, Sox Games, Sox Players |
