Boston Red Sox's Jon Lester allows five runs in five innings

on 04 9, 2009

Following the New York Yankees opening day loss to the Orioles, the Yankee squad heard about it…highly touted CC Sabathia giving up 6 runs in his debut, Mark Teixeira going hitless in his first game wearing pinstripes are just a couple things you may have heard. The Yankees lost again last night, but we figured we’d take it easy on them (believe it or not, we can be merciful). Don’t get me wrong, there will definitely be more analysis of the Yankees and their slew of problems to come (160 additional opportunities this season), but seeing as everyone’s been getting after the Yanks, it’s only fair to go after the Red Sox with a similar approach. I mean, could we really pass on an opportunity to roast the BoSox?

Josh Beckett certainly met expectations Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Rays, striking out 10 and giving up a single run through 7 IP. Beckett, along with a pair of homers from team captain Jason Varitek and reigning AL MVP Dustin Pedroia helped the Sox start their season out with a W. Last night was a different story. With Scott Kazmir and Jon Lester facing off, it was expected to be a pitcher’s duel. Hey Jon! Duel means 2! Apparently Lester didn’t get the memo. Were you out closing the bars down the other night, Jon? Kazmir was definitely ready for a pitching battle, but Lester looked like he was out hitting the bottle the night before. Lester gave up 8 hits and 5 runs through 5 innings pitched as the Sox went on to lose the game 7-2.

Should Red Sox Nation be worrying? Absolutely. Some fans may try to ignore the significance of this game, thinking ‘oh it’s just one game,’ but that is most definitely not the case. Getting handled by the Rays in Fenway is a more noteworthy loss than most other games. Jon Lester is believed to be an ace, but looked nothing like it on Wednesday night. Similar to New York Yankees fans who are concerned(and if not, they should be) about Sabathia’s first outing and an 0-2 start, Red Sox fans should feel a little uneasy about what took place in Fenway last night. The Rays beat the BoSox last year to reach the World Series, and it looks like they might be the team to beat in the AL this season. Stepping into Fenway Park and rocking a pitcher of Jon Lester’s caliber is not easy to do, folks.

If you put the Rays lineup against the Red Sox, it’s hard to make an argument that Boston’s is better than Tampa Bay. Evan Longoria picked up where he left off last season by going deep last night, and has secured himself not only as one of the best young players, but one of the best players in the Majors. This kid is going to cause a lot of Red Sox headaches for years to come. Carlos Pena hit his first of many homers last night as well. Tampa Bay without a doubt has a more potent offense than the Sox. Pedroia, Youkilis and Jason Bay are pretty consistent hitters, if we want to be generous we could maybe throw JD Drew’s name in there; however, the rest of Boston’s offense is pretty shaky. Big Papi is always a threat to take it deep, but is on the decline. Jacoby Ellsbury, Mike Lowell, Jed Lowrie and Jason Varitek are liabilities at the plate if you ask me.

Some argue Boston’s bullpen is one of the best, if not the best, which isn’t an unreasonable assumption if you’re basing it off their top 3 pitchers along with closer Jonathon Papelbon. Coming off 41 saves last season, Papelbon picked up his first save of the season, striking out 2 in the 9th on Tuesday. Josh Beckett looked great the other night, and I think it’s logical to expect a dominant season from Beckett. Jon Lester was handed his 3rd career loss at Fenway, and surely didn’t start the season out the way he intended to. We’ve yet to see Daisuke this season, but we’ll get a chance to see if Matsuzaka can continue his dominance from last season(18-3) when he squares off with Matt Garza today. Did I mention that Papelpon is an absolute tool? C’mon Sox fans, you know if Papelbon wasn’t on your beloved team you’d think he was a giant deusch.

Boston fans should’ve had difficulty sleeping last night in anticipation of today; I know I would’ve if I was a BoSox die-hard. If the Sox happen to lose today, which they very well could, I would be shitting a solid gold brick as a Boston enthusiast. With Tim Wakefield 4th in the rotation, there are grounds for concern. I hate to tell ya Timmy, but I think players figured out that broke knuckleball pitch awhile ago. Shit, I think I could hit one of his pitches. It’s great to have a veteran like Tim Wakefield on the bench, keyword bench. Let’s be real BoSox fans… you’re sweating golf ball-sized bullets whenever Wakefield takes the mound.

With such high expectations, Boston Red Sox fans might be in for a disappointing season. In New York’s case, it’d be unsatisfactory to miss out on another postseason, but when dealing with Boston, it’d be frustrating to fall short of the World Series again. I understand the season just started, and anything is possible, but presently Tampa Bay is the team to beat in the AL. Although Boston has had some miracle postseason games the last couple seasons, I think Tampa Bay is just too much to handle. Boston is a talented team, both players and management, but Boston fans who expect to be in the World Series this season might be setting themselves up for dissatisfaction.

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