Dice-K makes MLB debut
For the 3rd straight game the Red Sox started out with a run in the 1st inning. After a Lugo fly out, Youkilis got on base with what other than a walk. Ramirez then dug in with 2 outs and delivered an RBI double to give the Sox a 1-0 advantage. J.D. Drew struck out to end the inning and a new face emerged from the dugout.
Daisuke Matsuzaka, the man the Red Sox spent $50 million on just to talk to, took the mound for the first time. At 2:23 PM Dice-K delivered his first pitch, a strike, to begin his MLB career. After giving up a hit and a walk, Dice-K induced a double play to get out of the inning. After the first hiccup, Dice-K settled in and didn't allow another base runner until the 5th (and struck out the side in the 4th). The 6th was a little interesting. David DeJesus led off the inning with a solo shot and Esteban German followed up with a single. After a strike-em-out throw-em-out double play Emil Brown doubled to left, but was stranded when Matsuzaka struck out Alex Gordon. Terry decided to let him go back out for the 7th and face the bottom of the order. After another quick 1-2-3 inning Daisuke's day was done. He finished the day with 7 IP while giving up 1 run on 6 hits. He struck out 10 and walked 1.
We have a stud on our hands here folks. The thing that amazed me while watching the game was the control Matsuzaka displayed. He painted the black all day long and had total command. Matsuzaka doesn't need a 100 MPH fastball if he can mix 7 pitches with the same location he had today.
I'll put it out there now. I'm a fantasy baseball addict and what comes along with that is being a big believer in stats and numbers. One of the most important numbers for pitchers is the K/BB ratio. That is why I was a little down on Beckett after his start, and that is why I am ecstatic about Dice-K's performance today. 1 walk over 7 innings is great and adding 10 strikeouts on top of it is even better. A 10 K/BB ratio isn't a realistic number to expect over the season, but if Dice-K keeps a good ratio he will undoubtedly have great success this year.
Jonathan Papelbon also made his season debut today, picking up a save after a perfect 9th. Even though I still think he should be in the rotation, it's good to be confident when you go to the 9th. J.C. Romero has looked like he could be a good set up man this year too, and he might have to be if Timlin struggles like he did last year.
Daisuke Matsuzaka, the man the Red Sox spent $50 million on just to talk to, took the mound for the first time. At 2:23 PM Dice-K delivered his first pitch, a strike, to begin his MLB career. After giving up a hit and a walk, Dice-K induced a double play to get out of the inning. After the first hiccup, Dice-K settled in and didn't allow another base runner until the 5th (and struck out the side in the 4th). The 6th was a little interesting. David DeJesus led off the inning with a solo shot and Esteban German followed up with a single. After a strike-em-out throw-em-out double play Emil Brown doubled to left, but was stranded when Matsuzaka struck out Alex Gordon. Terry decided to let him go back out for the 7th and face the bottom of the order. After another quick 1-2-3 inning Daisuke's day was done. He finished the day with 7 IP while giving up 1 run on 6 hits. He struck out 10 and walked 1.
We have a stud on our hands here folks. The thing that amazed me while watching the game was the control Matsuzaka displayed. He painted the black all day long and had total command. Matsuzaka doesn't need a 100 MPH fastball if he can mix 7 pitches with the same location he had today.
I'll put it out there now. I'm a fantasy baseball addict and what comes along with that is being a big believer in stats and numbers. One of the most important numbers for pitchers is the K/BB ratio. That is why I was a little down on Beckett after his start, and that is why I am ecstatic about Dice-K's performance today. 1 walk over 7 innings is great and adding 10 strikeouts on top of it is even better. A 10 K/BB ratio isn't a realistic number to expect over the season, but if Dice-K keeps a good ratio he will undoubtedly have great success this year.
Jonathan Papelbon also made his season debut today, picking up a save after a perfect 9th. Even though I still think he should be in the rotation, it's good to be confident when you go to the 9th. J.C. Romero has looked like he could be a good set up man this year too, and he might have to be if Timlin struggles like he did last year.
posted by John at 5:03 PM
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