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Which Beckett will pitch this year 07 beckett or 06 beckett, or even 03 beckett when he seemed really unbeatable.

Whalers | 03/28/08, 07:01 AM

I think the 08 - yet to be determined beckett - will pitch this year :D

RedSoxBabe | 03/28/08, 07:33 AM

RSB, very astute! missed your biting commentary. :)

4192jc (Don't give up!) | 03/28/08, 07:59 AM

JB sucks. The Redgeex suck. GO M's....AL champs!

NORCALSURFER777 | 03/28/08, 08:22 AM

Josh will have another outstanding year in 08!!

He has matured as a person and a pitcher. He will be THE pitcher for the next several years in the league!

JFKJR - Sideburn Sunday | 03/28/08, 08:36 AM

Like I said in the other thread: WOW! both RSB & Jr appear in the threads on the same day. :D

4192jc (Don't give up!) | 03/28/08, 08:44 AM

Norcal:
M's? AL what? Seriously? I would would stop celebrating just because two Angles pitchers are injured and the season hasn't even started yet. Some how I just cannot see Richie Sexton sporting any AL Champ or WS ring next season... And I thought as a Tigers fan I deluded my self at times...

A FACT | 03/28/08, 08:44 AM

Baseball is back!!!

M's have a good team. It will be an interesting year for them

JFKJR - Sideburn Sunday | 03/28/08, 08:56 AM

Back injuries and hard-throwing pitchers are not a good mix. See Randy Johnson!

Let's hope Beckett's back is OK and he gets a chance to make at least 30 starts. All is fair in competition and the AL East, but you don't want the division title decided by injuries.

thejobarules | 03/28/08, 09:06 AM

Yes- they do- but I wouldn't go further than saying they haven't done anyting yet. Last time I checked the Angles have handed them their **** the last couple of seasons, not to mention Oakland doing the same here and there. Oakland should be no trouble but the Angels have always been a team to manufacture runs and play small ball like it's their bloody business. Let alone the fact that the defending world series champs came in and intact again this season with only Schilling on the DL at the moment. They have alot to do this season just like alot of teams that pulled off big trades, like the Mets, the Tigers, and the Diamondbacks. So far out of the four biggest trades of the off season, the only one that was in the post last season was the diamondbacks. Last time I checked, both Detroit and Seattle were 7 games out of the Wild card and seattle was 6 out of it's own division. You can't tell me that the AL West was THAT competitive last season. Their pitching improvements have been astounding. But I am not ready to see anyone get fitted for a ring, even Detroit, until the upstart teams prove something with a game or two that matters...

A FACT | 03/28/08, 09:11 AM

Beckett will be fine. In spring training, when most pitchers just want to throw innings and have 6.04 ERAs against bench-warmers and AAA players, Beckett has given up something like 0 runs with 12 K in 8 inn. Granted, that is against minor league players, but he is clearly hitting his spots and missing bats. He should win 20 games again.

schubel morgan | 03/28/08, 09:31 AM

I get when people like Whalers talk about 2006 Beckett vs. 2007 Beckett and not knowing which one will show up. But this is how I look at it.

I don't see it so much as inconsistency, and that he could suddenly revert back to 5.00 ERA and 30 HRs, because in 2007 he completely changed his approach. In 2006 he was a thrower, trying to blow people by with his fastball. In 2007 he became a pitcher: smart, crafty and breaking knees with his off-speed stuff. That's why I don't expect a regression in 2008.

It's not about his stuff, it's about his approach to pitching.

hyperRevue | 03/28/08, 09:57 AM

JB sucks. The Redgeex suck. GO M's....AL champs!

NORCALSURFER777 | 03/28/08, 08:22 AM
NO !!! - NO!!! - and DEFINITELY NO !!!

Kaycee1 | 03/28/08, 09:59 AM

A fact, all true. Generally, it's always such a reach to speculate before we've seen two or three trips through our rotations, but it's hard not to. As for the RSox, Beckett is still questionable Dice-K looks resonably ready but Lester is still shaky,etc...Man, we just gotta get this thing going already.

nflyoubet | 03/28/08, 10:00 AM

Hyper, Not many people outside Boston appreciate how true your comment is. Beckett has grown from his 'my way or the highway' style into a guy who seriously listens to, and appreciates his pitching coach and catcher. IT is what will allow him to not only continue to be effective but to stay healthier, Longer, and this gives me much more hope at the outset of his season

nflyoubet | 03/28/08, 10:07 AM

Thanks, nfl.

And regarding Lester. He has the stuff and the makeup, he just needs to be far more efficient. He gives up too many hits and walks.

hyperRevue | 03/28/08, 10:10 AM

it's the hit s after the walks that really hurt, hyper. :) Just ask Igawa on the Yanks about that. :(
Control, control, control........ and it's good to have stuff that moves a little too. :D

4192jc (Don't give up!) | 03/28/08, 10:30 AM

That's why I don't expect a regression in 2008. Hyper

Thats why we toss around the question Hyper. Cuz no one knows. But I would be surprised if he regressed as well. If health and approach are good then he will be.

Whalers | 03/28/08, 10:38 AM

Thats why we toss around the question Hyper. Cuz no one knows. But I would be surprised if he regressed as well. If health and approach are good then he will be.

Whalers | 03/28/08, 10:38 AM

Agreed.

hyperRevue | 03/28/08, 10:47 AM

Now Buckholz will be an open debate for a while. Apparently Francona and Theo have expressed how unacceptable lap dances and visibility at The Foxy Lady are for his future. You know they must have quietly expressed some appreciation for how hot his Penthouse Pet girlfriend is while stressing the need for leg strength on the mound. Life is all about balancing priorities,eh?

We will see.

nflyoubet | 03/28/08, 10:55 AM