Orioles: Lester's human after all
The Orioles have jumped all over Red Sox starter Jon Lester, who came into the game with a 12-0 lifetime record against them that is unmatched by any opposing pitcher in franchise history.
Maybe that will change today, because there already is action in the Red Sox bullpen and we're still in the bottom of the first inning. The Orioles have scored four times on four hits, a hit batsman and a wild pitch. There's a long way to go and Jake Arrieta gave up a run in the top of the first, but it's going to be hard for Lester to stay in the game long enough to win at this rate. He's closing on 30 pitches and there's only one out.
How unusual is this? Lester faced the Orioles three times previously this year and allowed just one run in 19 innings. In his last seven starts against the Orioles, he has allowed a total of six earned runs.
Instant update: Lester just got Nolan Reimold to bounce out and end the first inning, but not before he had thrown a total of 34 pitches.
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Comments
These aren't the usual O's he's facing, these are the Fightin' Showalters.
Posted by: Chris in Hawaii | September 1, 2010 8:16 PM
So, obviously the Red Sox are somewhat derailed by injuries to major players (Ellsbury, Pedroia, Youkilis, Cameron, etc.)
At the same time, they're well above .500 for various reasons, including a winning culture that ups the game of newcomers like Daniel Nava (who?) and Jed (seriously?) Lowrie.
I'm just looking position for position, though, and wondering how the O's match up against the Red Sox given tonight's lineups. Let me know what you think:
Scutaro vs. Lugo = Scutaro
Drew vs. Markakis = Markakis
Martinez vs. Wieters = Martinez
Ortiz vs. Reimold = Ortiz
Beltre vs. Bell = Beltre
Lowrie vs. Roberts = Roberts
Lowell vs. Wigginton = Wigginton
Nava vs. Pie = Pie
Kalish vs. Jones = Jones
Arrieta vs. Lester = Lester
Including pitchers, I'm tied up at five. Given that Arrieta is currently out-performing Lester (which is the outstanding mystery of the evening), the O's may just make it... well, according to my goofy comparison that ignores (among many other things) the fact that both starters will probably be gone soon.
Thoughts, anyone?
Posted by: Birdfan from Birth | September 1, 2010 8:40 PM
Birdfan from Birth,
Let's remember Jed had gone up and down between AAA and Majors a bunch leading up to now. Sure this version of Jed looks good, but the other iterations have been lacking sorely.
Posted by: paulie | September 1, 2010 8:46 PM
Fantastic. Lester has finally decided to show up, and our guys have conveniently decided to assist him in becoming the second coming of Nolan Ryan.
Let's pile up those K's, boys....
Posted by: Birdfan from Birth | September 1, 2010 9:01 PM
BB,
If you could assemble any staff of pitchers, when it comes to lefty's, I'm putting Lester as the #2 man on any squad. I dunno, I love that guy...filthy stuff, hard nosed attitude, attacking batters. That cutter of his is the second coming of Rivera...
Posted by: paulie | September 1, 2010 9:24 PM
he ain't that human...
Posted by: jim66 | September 1, 2010 9:33 PM
Lester may be human but the Oriole bullpen is not.
Posted by: robertl | September 1, 2010 9:51 PM