Opposing hitters sure won't.
From top to bottom, Boston's rotation is second to none in the American League when healthy. Led by Jon Lester, Terry Francona's five starting hurlers have proven that they have what it takes to flirt with 20-win seasons.
But which pitcher will have the most pressure this summer?
Once again, Lester is expected to lead the group. Anything less than a top-three finish in the Cy Young Award race will be considered a disappointing season. Josh Beckett, the team's former ace, is coming off a 6-6 season in which he posted a 5.78 ERA in just 21 starts. After the righty signed a hefty extension, the Sox are expecting a big rebound in 2011.
In 2010, youngster Clay Buchholz put up numbers the Sox' scouting department has been dreaming of for years. The righty went 17-7 with a 2.33 ERA in 28 starts last season, his first as a full-timer. But with such success comes plenty of pressure, as Sox fans are expecting him to churn out a repeat performance in 2011.
John Lackey, the team's big offseason addition in December of 2009, was able to post 14 wins in his first year in Boston, but did so at the expense of 11 losses and a 4.40 ERA. Lackey simply couldn't get it done on the road last year as he bagged just three wins in 15 starts away from Fenway Park. The Nation is expecting a lot more out of a guy signed for five years, $82.5 million.
Daisuke Matsuzaka, who is 13-12 with a 4.99 ERA in the last two seasons, is on thin ice, according to the majority of Sox fans. After a 15-12 "rookie" season in 2007, Dice-K went 18-3 with a 2.90 in 2008, finishing fourth in Cy Young Award voting. Since then, however, the righty from Japan has been plagued with injury and inconsistency.
Which Red Sox starting pitcher has the most pressure riding on him this season?survey software
