According to reports from the Boston area, Josh Beckett will miss his scheduled start Monday night with mild back spasms. Beckett was set to face the Blue Jays, looking to help play the stopper and end the Red Sox' three-game losing streak. While it would be nice to run Beckett out there and get a win, the game likely bears little consequence for the Red Sox on the whole. The Yankees have already clinched the AL East, and the Red Sox hold a six-game lead over the Texas Rangers in the wild-card race with just seven games to play.
Beckett is 16-6 with a 3.78 ERA and 1.17 WHIP this season. He's struck out 194 batters and walked just 52 in 207 1/3 innings. If he really has back issues that will linger into the postseason, this is worrisome for the Red Sox. With the phrasing "mild" back spasms and considering the standing of the team, it's likely the Red Sox are just being careful here and making sure Beckett is 100 percent healthy for October.
Michael Bowden will get the start in Beckett's place.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
This next off season should be a big one for the Sox. Lowell(can't even walk to first), Ortiz, Varitek and Wagner will or should be gone. Bay is NOT worth $15 mil a year and won't be with the team next year unless Theo has another JD Drew type brain fart. Speaking of Drew, the Sox should dump this Thorazine poster child for a box of wrist bands and a spitoon. If Martinez hits much better while playing first, then keep him there, with Youk at third, Gonzo at SS and Pedroia at 2nd. Get a good young catcher(Salty or Montero) so that V-mart can stay at first. That leaves LF, RF to fill, and they need another starter. Regardless of what the know nothing Boston sports media weenies say, Boston DOES NOT have a great farm system. An article a few weeks ago states that Boston's minor league teams are hitting the worst ever. Bowden is a stiff, with their top prospects, Bates and Anderson, doing squat. In short, the Sox have nothing coming up. Oh, and Delcarmen is DONE. Should be an interesting winter.
You are a doom and gloom Red Sox Fan.
Why are you focusing on NEXT year?
The playoffs are next week and the Sox are going to play the Angels. Are you throwing in the towel before the playoffs start?
The next season starts next week.