Jon Lester Makes His Pitch for the All Star Game

I’ve already called for Tim Wakefield to be named to this year’s AL All Star pitching crew. Last year, the Sox sent 3 pitchers to the game: Beckett, Papelbon, and Okajima. To send at least two Sox pitchers should not raise any eyebrows, but I’m sure yankee fans will disagree. The Sox have several potential nominees for pitcher this year. David Ortiz, despite leading in the DH category, will not be able to play in the game, so hopefully Tito can sneak in a 3rd Sox pitcher.

While being consistent and putting up good numbers, Aardsma doesn't have much of a chance mostly because he’s young, unknown, and a middle relief man. Same goes for lefty specialist Javier Lopez. Until recently, Manny Delcarmen had a nice string of well pitched performances going. From May 8th to June 27th, he allowed only 12 hits and 2 earned runs in 19 games and 20.2 innings. They’re all young and will have more chances during their careers to get to the game if they continue pitching the way they have been. I see Manny becoming a top notch closer someday somewhere.

Beckett has found himself in a nice groove of late, but he has not been quite as overpowering and consistent as he was last year. He gave up 11 hits and 5 runs to the O’s in May, followed that by giving up 6 hits and 6 runs to the Brewers in his next start, and 3 runs to the yankees in the first inning of today's game. Overall, his numbers are pretty good, and I expect him to have another very good year, but as of right now, I don’t see him as the no-brainer starting choice that he was last year. Pap is having another great year, but he did have back to back blown saves and losses in May, along with 2 blown saves in June. Nonetheless, he is one of MLB’s premier closers and should be at the top of the list of nominees.

That brings us to Lester. All sentiment aside, the 24 year old Lester just gets better with every game. Riding his 2007 World Series game #4 victory into this season, he has tossed 6+ innings of 3 hit, no runs ball against the A’s, 8 innings of 1 hit ball against the Blue Jays, a no hitter in June, and just completed his 2nd game of the season, a rarity in this age, another shutout no less, AND it was against the yankees in THEIR house, taboot! Now bring in the sentiment factor. MLB wants ‘stars’ and ‘big names’ in the game to pull in those almighty TV advertising dollars, and Jon Lester has the story line behind his performances that TV suits cream their shorts over. Jon Lester is this year’s ‘no-brainer’. He may not be the starter, but he will be on the team.