BOSTON SPORTS CHICK
  • BLOG
  • DEFLATEGATE
  • GUEST BLOGS
  • GENERAL SPORTS/HOT TOPICS

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT LESTER VS. SCHERZER 

5/16/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
Does this picture really need a caption? If you want to buy some original Boston sports themed artwork, let me know.
Assuming mother nature doesn't get in the way, Fenway Park has the chance of hosting a great pitchers duel tonight.  Red Sox vs. Tigers.  Lester vs. Scherzer.

While I still don't think Jon Lester is an ace pitcher, I have to admit he is pitching quite well this season.  For someone looking to get a payday in his next contract, his timing is right on.  Now for as well as Lester is pitching, Max Scherzer still has him beat.  Here is a quick look at both pitchers and the batters they will be facing. 

Lester is 4-4 with a 2.75 ERA this season.  His highlight of the season came against Oakland when he had 15 strikeouts in 8 innings.  In last season's ALCS he pitched two games against Detroit giving up only 3 runs over 11 2/3 innings of work.  Current members of the Tigers have a career .377 batting average against him.  Additionally, they have collected 16 walks while striking out 25 times. 

The three biggest thorns in his side have been Rajain Davis, Torii Hunter and Victor Martinez.  Davis has gone 11 for 36 (1 hr, 2 2B and 2 3B) with 10 strikeouts and 3 walks.  Three of Torii Hunter's 11 hits have been double (23 at bats).  Martinez is 6 for 13 with 1 home run and 1 triple.

Scherzer, the 2013 Cy Young winner, also had good ALCS numbers last year.  In 13 1/3 innings of work he gave up 4 runs, 6 hits, 7 walks and had 21 strikeouts.  This season he is holding batters to a .200 batting average. Once he has two outs, Scherzer has been pretty much un-hittable.  He has yet to give up a 2 out RBI and is holding batters to a .074 average.

In the past David Ortiz and A.J. Pierzynski have hit him pretty well.  Ortiz has a .467 average and 3 home runs.  Pierzynski has gone 11 for 33 with 1 double, 1 triple and 1 home run.  Pierzynski is not not in the lineup tonight as David Ross will one again be catching Lester.

Scherzer likes to throw his first pitch over the plate, so if you plan on taking your first pitch you better plan on being down 0-1.  When he leaves the ball low and inside to lefties he usually gets punished.  If you are a lefty and guess right on his breaking ball, it will likely be in the middle of the plate.  Righties aren't as lucky as he keeps his off-speed pitches down and away from them.  Able to hit 99 on his fastball, Scherzer's velocity is down a little this season.

If you don't know much about Max Scherzer, you may want to read this article.  Keep your tissues ready.

Red Sox Lineup

  1. Pedroia 2B
  2. Sizemore RF
  3. Ortiz DH
  4. Napoli 1B
  5. Carp LF
  6. Bogaerts SS
  7. Bradley Jr. CF
  8. Middlebrooks 3B
  9. Ross C
If you like what you've read here, share with your friends and follow @BOSsportschick on twitter.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Prime Video is the home of Thursday Night Football
    Picture
    Picture

    ARCHIVES

    September 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013

    OTHER BLOGS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT

    New England Sports Talk
    Kap Lifestyle

    RSS Feed

    Picture
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photo used under Creative Commons from Eric Kilby