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  • March 11, 2008 05:35 PM ET

Who are the best pitchers in each Division?

CiA is Shawn Johnson (17-36-5) vs J (Browns 19-0) Carbathlee (51-5-2)
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NL Central- Roy Oswalt
NL East- Johan Santana
NL West- Jake Peavy

AL Central- Sabathia
AL East- Jonathon Papelbon (didnt say it had to be a starter)
AL West- John Lackey

I wont say much since I dont know your list, but I will say this. Lackey has the edge on either Felix Hernandez, and Erik Bedard. Both Seattle Pitchers are still young and a little immature, and Lackey has the experience yet his numbers are still better than both Bedard and Felix.


NL Central- As much as I would like to say Harang, that is just the homer in me. Can't oppose Oswalt.

NL East- Johan Santana

NL West- Jake Peavy

AL Central C.C. Sabathia

AL East- Josh Beckett

AL West John Lackey

Sorry for only one change, but you had solid picks and I think Beckett vs. Papelbon will be a good one.

Let's see, Papelbon is a premier closer in the league, but when it comes down to a premier SP and a premier CP, you HAVE to go with the starting pitcher.

Beckett meant much more to his team and their success. Papelbon only pitched 58.1 innings last season. Beckett posted over 200. Papelbon posted 37 saves last year and while I know saves are somewhat of a product of a team, for me to take a CP over Beckett he better be getting close to 50 saves for my team. He didn't have as much of an effect as Beckett. Papelbon was tied for 10th in the MLB with saves. Beckett led the entire MLB in wins with 20.

When you have an ace like Beckett, you don't need someone to close the game out.

IN the PLAYOFFS Beckett went 4-0 with a 1.2 ERA and 35 Ks. That is amazing. CLUTCH.

Both are GREAT pitchers, but Beckett means much more to his team and is better.


Ok. So we only need to argue one player.

Now realize I didnt say which player ment more to their team. I said who is the BEST in the division.

Therefore I will make my argument why Papelbon is better.

Beckett had a good year, that cannot be denied, but prior to this year he had a dismal year with a 5.01 ERA and gave up 36 HR's. Becketts WHIP is decent but nothing spectacular for a "star" pitcher.

Beckett also benefited from a 6.59 run support. One of the most for any pitcher in the league. It is a bit easier to pitch, and be able to give up runs and still be safe, unlike Papelbon who came in during close games and could give up, maybe a run and lose.

Papelbon saved 37 of 40 games for the Red Sox, with a 1.85 ERA (one of the top ERA's for a closer). Papelbon didnt get many chances to save games because the Red sox offensenive production was so high and put up some big numbers, not qualifying for a save.

And you say Beckett is clutch in the playoffs...how about papelbon? He had to go two innings some times to get saves in the playoffs and was as clutch as you get, pitching to a 0.00 ERA and getting 4 saves, which carried them through cleveland.


Ok, since you didn't go for my "more important to his team argument", how about I go from a different approach?

Beckett could step in and be the closer. Papelbon would have a very tough time trying to be a starting pitcher. Doesn't that prove right there which is better? IF you remember, Papelbon was SUPPOSED to be a starting pitcher, but duribility was too much of an issue for him so he became a dominate closer.

Also, the Beckett run support argument is mut. He could win one game 16-0. Did he need those 16 runs? No. Were they there for him? Yes. All Beckett needed was .01 higher than his VERY low ERA.

Papelbon was clutch... but in a much smaller role. Beckett had almost 7 times the innings pitched and STILL thrived in the playoffs. Papelbon was not forced to pitch that much.

I told you that I understand the Red Sox do not leave a lot of save oppurtunities out there, BUT if you are going to take a CLOSER over one of the elite SP in the league then he NEEDS to have more of a role than just 40 save appearances.

Game 7 of the World Series. You can have Papelbon for 1 inning or Beckett for 8. THERE is a no-brainer.


this is over...nice arguments

Comments (14) Add A Comment

March 11, 2008  05:37 PM ET
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wow, that was a fast accept, I barely clicked sumbit throwdown and I got an opponent!

March 11, 2008  06:06 PM ET
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Papelbon.....naaaaaa......Josh Beckett my friend and trust me i hate the red sox

If it's not Santana in the NL east....it would be Cole Hamels.

March 11, 2008  07:24 PM ET
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Josh Beckett!

March 11, 2008  08:40 PM ET
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i voted left just to try and get things even before everyone starts to vote for jenkster...i will change it when he actually gets to defend his choices.....if need be...

March 11, 2008  09:10 PM ET
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Josh Beckett over Papelbon for me. I might say Zambrano over Oswalt, but Oswalt is a good pick.

March 12, 2008  08:58 AM ET
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People really should stop listing Beckett as the best thing since sliced bread...the man is one year removed from a 5.01 ERA...why not let him piece 3, 4 years together like the kind he had THIS year before we label him the best pitcher...his career ERA is 3.74, even after this last season, and he's stayed off the disabled list one seaon in his career. I'm a fan of his, but he needs to show more than one season, right?

March 12, 2008  08:59 AM ET
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for this thread, it doesn' tmatter cause it's between a two year guy and Beckett's one year of greatness as the choices for AL East, but why not someone like Roy Halladay?

March 12, 2008  09:18 AM ET
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because halladay was hurt, I didnt get to see him a lot.

March 12, 2008  09:47 AM ET
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The last two years Halladay has had pitched 220 Iinnings and 225 innings...and he has a CY Young

March 12, 2008  09:49 AM ET
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the CY wasn't in the last two years, but he has one...

March 12, 2008  10:39 AM ET
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Josh Beckett not bad over Papelbon. Vote to -------------------------------------------->

March 12, 2008  09:00 PM ET
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thank god you didn't say harang

March 13, 2008  02:23 AM ET
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ummm cc sabathia isnt the best pitcher in the AL central.... its justin verlander

 
March 14, 2008  02:29 AM ET
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I'd take Bedard over Lackey

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