Baseball Thread Rated X -- Mature Audiences Only

Johan tipped his cap to his former teammate.

No shame in being beaten by that guy. Josh Beckett picked a hell of a night to be just filthy.

Where did that back-door cutter come from?

 

I think it's always been there, but he's refused to use it. I read a Buster Olney column where he talked to a former teammate who blasted Beckett for wanting to throw fastballs 24/7, despite allowing home runs at an alarming pace. Maybe someone was able to persuade him finally.

 

Maybe Beckett has finally got over the blister problems and now is confident enought to throw off speed pitches again.

 

My theory has been that in the cooler, non-humid months, Beckett has thrown the curve, but not from May through August for fear of tearing it open in the humidity, as were the conditions when he was plagued with it with the Marlins.

His numbers in April and September might back that up.

 

Or, his team was out of the race and there was no pressure on him so he could wheel and deal tonight. It is easy to out pitch Johan Santana when you know the Yankees have eliminated you and you have no chance at the Wild Card.

 

Easy?

 

Not easy, but what about easier? The Mariners and Royals have had no problem beating the cream of the AL once the pressure was off.

 

When was that... May?

 

You are right, the Royals have been out of it since May, but sadly in the AL West, the Mariners entertained hope as recently as three weeks ago.
Also, if you are going to be a Josh Beckett apologist, then how do you quantify his ridiculous high ERA? He got the shit-kicked out of him in the AL and I think the easy answer is that he threw too many fastballs and the hard answer which NL folks don't want to hear is: The AL is just that much better.

 

Dude, I hate that asshole.

But, I gave you my theory.

Drop it.... or look into it.

 

OK, I looked at your theory from a couple of posts ago and I might agree with that, especially because he has not had blister problems this year, but I don't feel like spending the effort to look up what the weather was like where he was pitching this year in April and September compared to when he was with Florida. I will let one of our other posters or someone on SOSH do that.
Also, dude, maybe my point backs it up, maybe he can only get it done in April and September when it doesn't matter*.
* to denote that it doesn't matter what he did in the 2003 World Series, because just like what ARod has done in the past in the playoffs doesn't matter, I will pick and choose what Beckett had done over the years in the postseason to fit my needs.

 

Yes... I think I agree with whatever you said there, especially the shot at the ARod mouth-breathers.