Josh Beckett

[The Zot]

Do you think it's wise to start Beckett, fresh off the DL against the Braves? I have mixed feelings, since he is a strikeout pitcher...but ya never know.

[jdh]

No, I wouldn't do it, especially against the NL's top run scoring offense. With pretty much any starter coming off a long DL stint, you are better off just leaving them on your DL for a couple of starts to see if they have it or not. At the very least, he probably is very rusty. Just leave him on the DL so he isn't using a roster spot for now.

[easygoing]

I am waiting until at least one outing... he is talented, but its not worth wasting a start and killing my stats if he decides to pull another elbow or something... bench him... he should get at least one more start before the allstar game to get some stats!!

[The Zot]

Thanks, that was what i was thinking to....just need validation

[mattusd]

i'm starting him, he pitched well against the braves last time out. plus, i never bench guys unless they go to coors. i had andy pettite last year and i did the waiting thing and he through like a 3 hit shutout in his first start back i think. so i don't do that anymore.

but hey, that's me.