Before an inevitable wise ass remark is made, no, I don't even own Jon Lester in any leagues. But I've yet to actually see him pitch, and all I do see is...
DATE OPP RESULT IP H R ER HR BB SO GB FB PIT Apr 18 TB L 7-1 6.0 7 7 7 2 3 5 9 4 103 Apr 12 @MIN L 5-2 5.0 9 4 4 0 3 5 9 10 107 Apr 6 NYY L 6-4 5.0 5 4 4 0 3 4 9 6 94
These haven't been the easiest assignments, as it's not like he's gone out there and stunk it up against Baltimore, but still.
So, has his velocity been down? Location poor? He's been incredibly hittable, so I'm wondering if he's just missing his spots, or what.
For those who have watched, is he a guy we should be trying to target from panicky owners? He's been pretty so so in April/May for most of his career, so if it's just a matter of him working it out, then this could be valuable time to try and swing him. But if there's some sort of potential hidden injury concerns, lack of velocity, or what have you, that's a different story.
Today he was nasty in the first, striking out the side in order with good movement on his breaking stuff and a 97 MPH fastball. After the first, he really came unraveled.
His velocity is there, but it seems like he has been making mistakes.
Last edited by thedude on Sun Apr 18, 2010 7:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"I do not think baseball of today is any better than it was 30 years ago... I still think Radbourne is the greatest of the pitchers." John Sullivan 1914-Old athletes never change.
thedude wrote:Today he was nasty in the first, striking out the side in order with good movement on his breaking stuff and a 97 MPH fastball. After the first, thing really came unraveled.
His velocity is there, but it seems like he has been making mistakes.
Yeah, I haven't seen Lester's outings so far this season, but based off the stats alone, it seems like his control and location are off (not necessarily attributed to anything velocity-related). Good thing to know that the velocity was there for him today, as well. I'm presuming it's a slow start for him, for now.
It's an April thing. Watching the pregame the guys mentioned it. He's a rhythm pitcher so once he gets it going he's able to rock and fire but he has to get it to that point and it's usually April where he's feeling out where he is. By the end of the season he'll still be one of the top lefties in the game and the numbers will be there but yeah, he's always struggled out of the gate. Just one of those things, like Teix. I'm keeping a close eye on him and conjuring up offers to get him in one league.
He's my ace, and I've got no real choice but to ride it out. I'm not that concerned. One solid start against a weaker opponent and he'll find his rhythm.
Looking at nothing but the stats would suggest he doesn't have his good control just yet. That is something that is pretty common for guys in April. I wouldn't be too worried about it though a tired arm period wouldn't be out of the question this year either given how his innings have gone the past few years.
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by bigh0rt » Sun Apr 18, 2010 7:17 pm 
