There are some playoff teams that have great pitching. The Angels do with Kazmir, Weaver and Saunders. The Yankees do with Sabathia, Burnett, and Pettite . The Tigers do with Jackson, Verlander and even Jared Washburn.
In the NL, the Phillies have Hamels, Lee, and Happ (he is hurt right now which hurts the Phillies a bit), the Dodgers with Billingsley, Garland and Kershaw, the Giants have Cain, Lincecum and Zito and the Cardinals have the best staff of all with Carpenter, Wainwright and Piniero.
What is my point? Other than Beckett and Lester who do the Sox have that they can depend on? Wakefield, Byrd, Buchholz are there answer. I don't like their chances.
I would like their chances a bit better if they had not gotten rid of Brad Penny, he will help the Dodgers and John Smoltz who I feel will make an impact for the Cards.
When it comes to the playoffs veteran pitchers who have experience in clutch situations can make a huge difference. I think that the Red Sox no longer have a staff to be feared. Going in to the playoffs I think the Yankees, Cards and Giants have the best staff's to win in short series.
The reality is that the Giants may not make the playoffs, if they don't the Rockies likely will. They are not a loaded staff. Maybe the Red Sox won't make it either as they are being chased after by the Rangers. I don't think the Rangers have an overwhelming staff either.
When all is said and done this year only one team will win it all. Maybe just maybe those teams that fall a bit short will wish they had made the trade for Roy Halladay. Hindsight is 20/20 but you can bet there will be talk in their media bases asking questions like: Would things have been different with Doc in their lineup?
Oh yeah, the Red Sox pitching stud Jon Lester did pick up another win. He now has 39 in his short career. I just find it hard to believe that Lester and Beckett are going to be able to carry Boston very far.
Thoughts...
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