Tim Wakefield

After Clay Buchholz was scratched from his start Sunday with a stomach illness, it will be Tim Wakefield who toes the rubber against Seattle for his first start of the season. Wakefield has made seven appearances out of the bullpen so far, notching a 5.56 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and no record in 11 1/3 innings.

Wakefield has struggled with the Mariners in his career. He is 4-10 with a 4.18 ERA and 1.41 WHIP in 27 career outings, including 17 starts. Wakefield lost his only start against Seattle last season, giving up four runs (three earned) on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings.

Current Mariners are hitting .272 against Wakefield. Jack Cust has done the most damage, as he is hitting .440 with four extra-base hits and five RBIs in 25 at-bats. Adam Kennedy, Miguel Olivo and Milton Bradley all have a home run and three RBIs off Wakefield.

If Wakefield’s poor record against Seattle wasn’t enough of a reason for Sox fans to be concerned, there’s also the fact that Felix Hernandez will be on the mound for the Mariners. The reigning American League Cy Young winner is 3-2 with a 3.32 ERA this season. He has won each of his last two starts against Oakland and Detroit, respectively, allowing just two earned runs on eight hits and five walks over 13 2/3 innings.

Moreover, Hernandez is 4-1 with a 2.91 ERA in eight career starts against Boston. He won his only start against the Sox last season, allowing just one earned run on four hits and a walk while striking out nine over 7 1/3 innings.

Current Red Sox are hitting .259 against Hernandez. J.D. Drew leads the way with a .391 average and two home runs in 23 at-bats. Adrian Gonzalez, David Ortiz and Mike Cameron all have a homer off Hernandez, too. Read the rest of this entry »

Daisuke Matsuzaka turned in one of the worst starts of his career on Monday. (AP)

It was one terrible start.

There is no way to sugar coat what happened to Daisuke Matsuzaka on Monday night against the Rays. He was battered early and often, allowing seven runs on eight innings in just two-plus brutal innings of work.

The reaction has been swift. Calls for Matsuzaka to be taken out of the rotation, or traded, or banished to the island of Elba have torn across New England. Matsuzaka — ever a lightning rod — has once again inflamed the passions of Red Sox fans as few others can.

Even Sox manager Terry Francona could do little to mask his frustrations with the 30-year-old’s outing, particularly the horrific second inning in which the pitcher permitted six runs.

“We got into the second and everything went to the middle of the plate,” said Francona. “There was seven balls hit right on the barrel. We love when guys throw strikes but there was some balls that were middle-middle for the first seven hitters.

“The best way to be a good player is to be consistent,” added Francona. “You’re going to have some good nights. There’s a lot of nights where you don’t know quite what’s going to happen. We’ve seen a lot of nights where there’s a lot of inconsistency in the strike zone, in and out, tonight he was right down the middle. They squared up a lot of balls in a hurry.”

Matsuzaka, of course, has been anything but consistent over the course of his Red Sox career. His talent has often been something of a tease, with the pitcher alternately having outings that verge on dominance and then getting lit up like a firecracker. As colleague Rob Bradford points out, four-plus years and 100 starts into his Red Sox career, no one has made sense of the pitcher.

So does that mean he should be demoted or sent packing?

Nope. Not now. Not after one passable start (5 innings, 3 earned runs) against the Indians and one dreadful one against the Rays. If his struggles continue for additional weeks, then perhaps the Sox would be in position to reconsider. But for now, the Sox should — and likely will have to — stick with him.

The team felt his performance was appalling, but they are mindful that he has bounced back from bad outings before, and feel that — based on what he did in spring training — he has shown the ability to do so once again to be a useful member of the rotation. There appear to be no plans to take him out of the rotation, a move that would represent an overreaction to a bad start.

There are many reasons to keep him in the rotation, rather than banishing him to a lonely island. A closer look: Read the rest of this entry »

ARLINGTON, Texas — Thanks to the dazzling talents in the Red Sox Media Relations Department, a few leftover notes from Opening Day:

–Tim Wakefield recorded the final out of the eighth inning for the Red Sox. It was just Wakefield’s second career Opening Day appearance, and his first since he took starting honors for the Pirates on April 6, 1983. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the 18-year layoff between Opening Day appearances is the longest by a big leaguer since 1900. The previous record was held by fellow knuckleballer Joe Niekro, who went 13 years (1968, 1981) between Opening Day games.

Coincidentally, Charlie Hough was on hand (and had far-reaching praise for Wakefield), and it was Phil Niekro‘s birthday.

–Jon Lester‘s three homers allowed on Opening Day represented a career high. It also was the most homers allowed by a Sox pitcher on Opening Day since Dennis Eckersley was taken deep three times in 1980, and the most homers allowed on Opening Day by a Sox lefty since at least 1919. Lester also became the first Sox Opening Day starter not to punch out a batter since Bob Stanley (yup, that Bob Stanley) in 1987.

–After his solo homer on Friday, David Ortiz now has 1,001 career RBIs as a DH. He is second all-time among DH’s in RBIs, just two behind Mariners standout Edgar Martinez.

–In his 10th major league seasons, John Lackey will be making his first outing of the year against the Rangers for the seventh time. In his previous six season openers against them, he is 1-3 with a 7.11 ERA. He has made more starts (33) against the Rangers than any other active pitcher, forging an 11-12 record and 5.74 ERA against them. Lackey was 5-1 with a 2.98 ERA in eight starts against the AL West in 2010, with many of his starts coming in the second half. The big right-hander tends to be a slow starter, going 13-10 with a 4.79 ERA in his career in March/April, and a 3.78 ERA over the rest of the year.

Charlie Hough first met Tim Wakefield 19 years and 193 wins ago. (AP)

ARLINGTON, Texas — Retired pitcher Charlie Hough describes himself as having been in the second tier of all-time knuckleballers. Hall of Famers Phil Niekro and Hoyt Wilhelm represent royalty when it comes to the pitch’s practitioners, but Hough classified himself as being a touch behind them, a pitcher who was “pretty good” in a career that spanned 25 years and yielded a 216-216 record and 3.75 ERA while lasting until the right-hander was 46 years old.

But while Hough has not pitched in 17 years, he remains connected to the game in a meaningful way thanks to Red Sox right-hander Tim Wakefield. Hough recalled working with Wakefield back in 1992, when the young Pirates pitcher was getting ready to pitch in Triple-A. It took Hough little time to realize that Wakefield would soon be taking the baton as the next generation of knuckleballer, though even he had no idea that Wakefield would take the baseball world by storm that year, going 10-3 with a 3.06 ERA in Triple-A before notching an 8-1 record and 2.15 ERA in the bigs for Pittsburgh (as well as 2-0 in the Braves).

Ever since their meeting 19 years ago, Hough has maintained an interest in a pitcher who is carrying on a little-understood tradition.

“I probably follow him more than he knows,” said Hough, who threw out the first pitch — yes, a knuckleball, albeit one that Hough joked had no action on it — at the Rangers’ home park. “I saw him when he was I guess just learning to throw a knuckleball. I remember speaking to him and he had a little microphone in his hand, a little tape thing in his hand when we talked about learning to throw it. He was already throwing it. He already knew how.

“The first time I spoke to him, he was in street clothes so I didn’t see him throw it. I threw it 10 feet with him,” Hough continued. “Then when I saw him pitch, I said, ‘Yeah, he’s gonna pitch.’ I didn’t know it was going to be as fast as it was. I saw him in spring ’92, and that’s the year he won a couple games in the playoffs, beat the Braves in the playoffs a couple of times. It’s one of those things. When you got it, it works. If you don’t throw it right, it doesn’t work. But what a career.”

Hough is familiar with the career stage at which Wakefield currently finds himself. He knows the increased soreness that comes with being on the mound — the knees, the back, the shoulder — while trying to pitch into his mid-40s, all of which makes it more challenging to repeat a delivery and sustain success.

Even so, he cautioned those who would dismiss Wakefield’s potential contributions to the Sox this year.

“Being a great competitor, he keeps coming back. Every year, it seems like the Red Sox have him out of the rotation, and at the end of the year, he’s their big winner,” said Hough. “Timmy’s on a great team right now. He’s not in the rotation, but you don’t know what’s going to happen. He might win 15 games.”

If such a prediction were to come to fruition, it would allow Wakefield to achieve a couple of historic marks. The 44-year-old, who has 193 career wins and 179 with the Sox, would surpass 200 victories for his career, and would also pass all-time franchise victories leaders Cy Young and Roger Clemens, currently tied with 193.

While the odds of such marks have grown longer as Wakefield nears the end of his career, Hough will be among those rooting for his one-time protegee to make history.

“I hope he catches those guys. I hope he passes them,” said Hough. “He’s had just an incredible career. To do what he’s done in Boston, throwing a knuckleball in that ballpark, I can’t imagine doing it,” said Hough. “He’s kind of a landmark there in Boston. He goes with the Wall, I think, doesn’t he?”

Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield joined The Big Show Tuesday, discussing the coming baseball season with Glenn Ordway and Michael Holley.

Given their offseason upgrades, the Red Sox have been considered favorites by many to head to the World Series this season. While Wakefield likes the attention the team has gotten, he understands that a lot has to happen for them to achieve their goal.

“It’s great to be touted as winning the World Series and as favorites before the season starts, but I never get too excited about that,” he said. “Everything looks good on paper, but [we won't know] until we actually get on the field and see how things jell together.”

The Red Sox added the likes of Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and Bobby Jenks in the offseason. While Wakefield doesn’t want to get caught up in the hype, he thinks the talent level is high enough for the team to win its third championship since 2004.

“I love our chances. I really do. Talent-wise, all around the infield, all around the outfield and our pitching depth is pretty solid,” Wakefield said. “I’m very excited about who we have on our club this year, and the direction that we can take.

“I think we have all the bases covered. We’ve got speed, we’ve got defense, we’ve got strong hitting, and we’ve got deep pitching. All five of those positions that you want to be on top of are all covered with the team and the talent that we have and the players that we have.”

Wakefield said he has no problem with beginning the season in the bullpen. He noted that his primary goal is to win another title, and that he is willing to help out in any way. He did admit, however, that he does think about potentially becoming the all-time leader in wins for the Sox. With 179, he would need 13 to tie the likes of Roger Clemens and Cy Young.

“I give it a lot of thought. It’s important form a personal standpoint, but more importantly, I don’t it to take away from anything that has to do with us winning a World Series championship here again,” he said. “With that being said, I’d like to accomplish that, but first and foremost is to try to win games for the Boston Red Sox and try to win another World Series title here.

If it happens, it happens, and if not, it’s not going to make me any different of a person. … It doesn’t make a better person because I am the all time [wins] leader in Red Sox history. It’s a nice goal to attain and it’s a nice number to have next to your name, but I think the biggest thing is to win a World Series title for the Boston Red Sox.”

Tim Wakefield is battling to keep his spot on Red Sox roster.

FORT MYERS, Fla. — In several different ways and on several occasions, Terry Francona was asked Friday morning about the role – and future – of Tim Wakefield on the Red Sox.

Francona has been around long enough to avoid stepping on that landmine.

Asked about the intense competition among the team’s relievers, Red Sox manager Terry Francona said Friday the next two weeks leading up to Opening Day in Texas will be ‘stressful’ for he and the pitchers in the bullpen.

“I would never sit here and talk about someone being [on the roster],” Francona said. “I can’t do that. That’s so disrespectful to players. I would never do that. That would be awful. You guys [media] are going to start nitpicking and try to make the bullpen.”

The projected pieces of the Red Sox bullpen includes closer Jonathan Papelbon, set-up men Daniel Bard and Bobby Jenks, righty Dan Wheeler with righties Wakefield, Alfredo Aceves, Matt Albers and Scott Atchison and lefties Hideki Okajima, Andrew Miller and Dennys Reyes competing for the final one or two spots.

“If I sit here and tell you everybody that’s in the bullpen, then whoever’s not, is going [to know]. That’s not a good way to do it.”

Francona was asked specifically about the plans for the knuckleballer Wakefield, who could share middle and long relief roles with Aceves if the team chooses to keep both.

“These guys have a stressful couple of weeks ahead of them. I’m not going to make it worse,” Francona said when asked if Wakefield’s spot on the roster was assured. “We’re going to have decisions to make. It’s going to be tough on some guys because they probably deserve to make the team.”

[Terry Francona explains the intense competition for spots in the Red Sox bullpen, including Wakefield.]

Wakefield will start Friday night’s split squad game against the Rays in Port Charlotte. Wakefield will be making his fourth appearance of the spring but his first start. He has had an effective spring, allowing nine hits and only two earned runs in 6 2/3 innings for a 2.70 ERA.

Aceves is 0-1 with a 3.48 ERA in four appearances, including two starts. He has allowed 10 hits in 10 1/3 innings.

“Their styles aren’t similar but they both can pitch out of the bullpen and they both can start. We’re going to have some interesting decisions to make here come this last week. Fortunately, guys have really shown well and it’s going to be interesting.”

Of course, those “interesting” decisions won’t be made by Francona alone as GM Theo Epstein, asst. GM Ben Cherington and pitching coach Curt Young will all have input.

“Curt and I and Theo and Ben will sit down – as we have been – and try to make the best decisions, not only for Opening Day but for the organization. It’s going to be tough,” Francona reiterated.

Wakefield is 44 while Aceves is 29. Read the rest of this entry »

Manager Terry Francona said he isn't worrying yet about Daisuke Matsuzaka. (AP)

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Spring training results are supposed to be meaningless for established members of a club. That said, it doesn’t mean that they can’t be disconcerting.

That is the situation with Daisuke Matsuzaka this spring. Expected to man the fifth spot in the Sox rotation, the 30-year-old has struggled badly this spring. He has allowed 11 earned runs in 8 2/3 innings in his three spring starts, including 12 runs (10 earned) in 6 2/3 innings over his last two outings. He has four strikeouts and five walks this spring.

So, it is fair to wonder: When do spring results matter?

The answer from Sox manager Terry Francona regarding Matsuzaka: Not yet.

“I’m not real concerned about anyone in camp. We want to leave here healthy and guys feeling good about themselves. I haven’t looked at anyone’s ERA,” said Francona. “I know Daisuke got hit around a little bit the other day. I know if we took Daisuke out of the rotation tomorrow, I wouldn’t want to play for me. We’ve got to let these guys get ready.”

OTHER NOTES

–Matsuzaka is playing a key role, along with fellow Japanese natives Hideki Okajima and Junichi Tazawa and recently signed pitcher Itsuki Shoda in spearheading team efforts to collect money for disaster relief in Japan. From a team press release:

The team encouraged fans to consider making donations through the team charity, the Red Sox Foundation. One hundred percent of donations received will be directed to the Red Cross relief efforts now underway in Japan. The Red Sox Foundation has committed to donate $50,000, and Matsuzaka and Okajima, along with fellow pitchers Junichi Tazawa and Itsuki Shoda, are each making personal donations.

Matsuzaka and Okajima recorded video messages in Japanese and English expressing support for their country and asking fans to make a donation. The videos and donation details are available on the Club’s official website at redsox.com/japan, and on the charity’s website, www.redsoxfoundation.org.

“Japan has been brave fighting through damages caused by the earthquake and tsunami,” Matsuzaka said on the Japanese-language video message.

“We are especially concerned with all those who are missing and are waiting to be rescued,” said Okajima, also on the Japanese-language video. “And we pray for their safe return to their family and friends.”

Fans can help the victims of this devastating natural disaster by making a donation to the Red Sox Foundation, the official team charity of the Boston Red Sox. Fans can log on to www.redsoxfoundation.org to make a tax deductible donation via credit card online or by mail via check/money order. Checks should be made out to “Red Sox Foundation/Japan Relief” and sent to Red Sox Foundation, 4 Yawkey Way, Boston, MA 02215. Team officials noted that 100 percent of donations received will support the Red Cross relief efforts in Japan.

The Japanese players stood at the gates on Monday night to ask fans entering the park to donate to relief efforts.

–The Red Sox lineup features eight regulars (with Mike Cameron in right field in place of J.D. Drew), and with almost all regulars, the top of the order designed by Francona could well be the one he will employ in the regular season:

Ellsbury, CF
Pedroia, 2B
Crawford, LF
Youkilis, 3B
Gonzalez, 1B
Ortiz, DH
Cameron, RF
Saltalamacchia, C
Scutaro, SS

Asked whether the lineup might take a similar structure once the regular season begins, Francona was non-commital. Read the rest of this entry »