I’m curious as to why Lackey is 2, and Buchholz is 3. Why wouldn’t you put your two more dominant pitchers of 2010 in the first two games? Does anyone really want Lackey starting the home opener?

As for Beckett at 4, I agree with you, Rob. Let him handle Cleveland’s weaker lineup, and boost his confidence.

I think this rotation is set up properly. I like Lackey as the #2 because I am confident that he will rebound this year to win between 15-17 games. As good as Buchholz was last season, I’m sure that he is happy as the #3.
Furtermore, once you get past the first week or two of the season very rarely does your teams 1-5 match up against the oponnents 1-5.orld Series or bust.

Go Red Sox………….World Series or bust.

I think it’s smart to separate Lester and Buchholz. Those are the two dominant starts in the rotation and they both eat up innings (although so does Lackey). To give your bullpen a rest it’s not a bad idea to seperate the two guys in the rotation who have the best shot at going 7 or 8 innings in a game. That way you don’t have to use up Bard and Jenks on back to back days. Although, if Daisuke and Beckett pitched like they did in 2010 then the bullpen is going to have their hands full. If they both pitch like they did in 2007 then we’re definitely playoff bound. Lackey has looked good so far this spring and I think Beckett is coming along. I watched the Pirates outing he had and his stuff was there. He was throwing his curveball for strikes and his changeup was flat out nasty, eliciting multiple swings and misses. He left a couple 4 seamers flat and up in the zone and ran some 2 seamers out of the zone in which the hitters didn’t bite at at all. He did fine save for a handful of bad pitches. It was a very positive outing though in my opinion. If Beckett is throwing 94 mph, curveballs for strikes, and changeups that have some nasty late break then Sox fans don’t have anything to worry about. With this lineup, we really don’t need Beckett to pitch like and ace anyways (although it’d obviously help).

Genius on Francona’s part.

I completely agree with this rotation. Lester is hands down the ace of the staff.
As fare as the agrument of Lackey vs. Buchholz in the #2 slot, I think it’s more based on Buchholz’s skills rather than Lackey’s. Think about it, in the #3 slot, Buchholz, arguably the second best pitcher on the staff, will be faceing #3 slot pitching talent, which equals more wins.
Hopefully this lights a fire under Beckett’s butt!

makes sense Lester is great, Lackey sucks, Bucholtz is very good, Beckett sucks, and Dice-K sucks

This is a nice piece of work on Tito’s part. It’s not about lighting a fire under anyone’s butt, it’s about getting off on the right foot. It’s a good psychological move for all the starters. And ‘Tek said it right when he said it didn’t matter how the initial rotation looked, because it always changes until the playoffs when it’s reset. This is what good managing looks like.

Hey Babe, it’s better than sucks, sucks, sucks, sucks and sucks. And you know who I’m talkin’ about baby.

Beckett has been lousy even this Spring so letting him in at less than 5 is being kind. Whoever said he looked good during the Pirates game was having delusions. Just like last year he’s pretty good through 3 or 4 before he’s just batting practice out there. And we were talking about against THE PIRATES!!! Oy…

Beckett is a competitor – let him work his way back to the #2.

I think Thomas should go as well. His stunt at the Whitehouse was something should not have happened. This was a team celebration and he should have been there period.

Timmy’s had his run, it’s Tukka time now. Trade Thomas, get what you can for him and move forward. We need some more talent up front and moving Thomas out might help us get there.

Keep them intact and things will fall in place.  Repeat is difficult, come back the following year and get it done is just as good in my books!  Let’s go BRUINS!!

Trade Thomas; he’s not a team player after he refused to attend the White House event honoring the Bruins.

TRADE THOMAS…I used to really like him, but his stunt was selfish. PC should try to trade him for a top 5 draft pick in June. 

Everyone’s so quick to turn on the man that just won the cup for the Bs a year ago, but unfortunately I agree. the Bruins could have a solid backup in Khudobin if given the opportunity but I cant imagine Thomas would produce a top 5 draft pick by himself. But who know Timmy plus the Bruins first rounder to move into the top 5 is definetly a viable trade option. Its no mystery that the Oilers need a solid goaltender and defense.. Why not thomas and a defender for one of their many offensive talents? Lots of possibilities with TT30 just dont see Chiarelli doing anything in the offseason until Rask proves he has recovered from injury.