Jon Lester Can Make The Japan Trip Worth It

If Jon Lester can pitch the Sox to a victory tonight all of the hassle and problems with starting the season in Japan will disappear. With a win in game 2 against Oakland the Red Sox will come back to the States with a 2-0 record (4-0 for the Japan trip) and some time to let the minor injuries heal before the season resumes April 1. Boston had a difficult spring with injuries to Schilling, Beckett, Crisp, Lugo, and now J.D. Luckily must of the injuries are minor and the Red Sox should be healthy for the regular season. Jon Lester's game 4 performance in the World Series brought him full circle from the cancer diagnosis, to treatment, back to the minors, and finally on the biggest stage of all. Tonight's game is nothing when you look at the pressure he has faced in the past 2 years but he has the chance to pick up his team and set the tone for the season. Starting pitching is the biggest question mark going into '08, Lester can give a positive spin to answer the pitching question, from the long flight back right up until April 1.