Mariners/Red Sox - 5/19/02

[Eugene Michaels]

BOSTON RED SOX +110 ? As much respect as I have for the Mariners and Freddy Garcia, I feel that the Reds Sox offer great value as a home underdog with John Burkett on the hill. Burkett is proving that last season was not a fluke, and that he indeed did learn a lot about pitching by being around Maddux, Glavine & Co. for a full year. He has been brilliant so far for the Red Sox, posting vintage Maddux-like numbers with a perfect 4-0 record, a low 2.40 ERA, and an outstanding WHIP of 1.17. Going back to last season, Burkett?s teams have won 8 of his last 9 starts. Garcia did not have one of his better outings last out, allowing 4 earned runs and 7 Men on Base in 6 innings. He has a 4.38 ERA in 6 career starts vs. the Red Sox, which though not terrible, may not be good enough today in Burkett?s current form.

 

[RobertBIrish]

I think when you look at Burkett's numbers you have to look beyond the low numbers as I don't think they are as impressive when you consider who they are against Oakland twice, Tampa Bay twice and Kansas City any pitcher can look like an ace against those teams they can't hit to save their lives. Today he is not getting any powder puff hitters like he has faced all year he is facing a Mariners team that loves right handed pitchers avergaing 6.2 runs a game against them and are off a tough loss last night, really respect your picks as you are doing very well but respectively have to disagree on this one bud as Garcia shut down the Yankees twice this year only allowing 2 earned runs in two games total of 16 innings plus if you look at his current form against the Red Sox in his last two starts he has shut them down his last two starts coming in Boston getting both wins and only allowing 3 earned runs in 15 innings.

 

[Eugene Michaels]

Irish,

Nothing wrong with disagreeing, especially when you bring up some very valid points. However, Burkett was among the NL leaders in both ERA and WHIP last season, and not all of those starts were against cream puffs. So I do think that his current form will hold, even against the better clubs.


Good luck.