One way or another, someone is either going to feel slighted, albeit for different reasons.
Here are the cases for and against each pitcher.
JOHN LACKEY
Season: 5-6, 7.36 ERA.
Team record in 11 starts: 5-6.
Last start: 3.1 IP, 4H, 5 ER, 4 BB, 4K, 1 HR, 2 HBP.
Last four starts: 3-1, 6.26 ERA.
The case for: Lackey is in the second year of a five-year, $82.5 million contract and sending him to the bullpen could destroy any chance of salvaging his season. Before arriving in Boston for the start of last season, Lackey was 102-71 in his career and averaged 13 wins a season for the Los Angeles Angels. He won 14 last year. For as poorly as Lackey has performed this season, he is a far better pitcher than what he has demonstrated.
The point? If the Red Sox are going to get anything out of this guy, it will have to be as a starter. Lackey has made just one relief appearance in his career — that coming with the Angels in 2004. He is a proud man who was the staff ace with the Angels. Fans in Boston have no emotional attachment to Lackey for a lot of reasons, but try to take that out of it. If you move him to the pen, you may lose him.
The case against: Based purely on performance, Lackey has been the club’s worst starter all year. Minus a three-game stretch in late April — all against three of the worst offensive teams in the league — the A’s, Angels, and Mariners — Lackey has a 10.20 ERA in eight starts. He’s been better since coming off the disabled list, but he still hasn’t been good.
At this point, the simple fact of the matter is that Miller and Wakefield have pitched better than Lackey has. If manager Terry Francona keeps Lackey in the rotation despite that, what kind of message does that send in an organization that generally puts the emphasis on winning?
ANDREW MILLER
Season: 1-0, 3.09 ERA.
Team record in two starts: 2-0.
Last start: 6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 0 HR, 1 HBP.
