| 08 August 2011
Josh Beckett is having a Cy Young caliber season... but you wouldn't know it if you only looked at the win column.
Despite owning the second best ERA in the American League at 2.17, Beckett ranks in the middle of the pack in wins at 9-4, amongst mediocre starters like Chicago's Gavin Floyd (9-10, 4.56 ERA) and guys you've never heard of before like Michael Pineda in Seattle (9-7, 3.53).
So what gives? A lack of run support.
In Beckett's 22 starts this season, he's allowed 4+ runs only twice: 5 ER in a 0-5 loss to Philly and 4 ER in a 4-5 loss to Baltimore. That means he's held the opponent to 3 runs or less in those other 19 starts... and yet, despite pitching for the best offensive team in the majors, Josh still hasn't cracked double-digit wins.
Take Beckett's last two games: He held the Yankees to 1 ER on 6 hits through 6 innings, but the Sox needed extra inning heroics to win the game and Beckett took the ND. Before that, Beckett held the Tribe to 2 ER on 6 hits through 6 innings, but the Sox needed a 9th inning RBI single from Ellsbury to win that game.
In short, the guys is getting hosed.
Overall, Beckett has 4 losses and 9 NDs. The Red Sox scored 4 runs or less in 12 of those 13 games and 8 of those game were decided by one run. The good news is the Sox are winning tehse games (16 W in 22 GS), but it'd be nice to see the hitters share some of Jon Lester's 8.51 runs per game (5th, MLB) with Beckett...
Bottom Line: With a smidge more run support, Beckett would likely be something like 15-4... which would put him right in line with the other Cy Young contenders. Last season, Felix Hernandez proved you can win the Cy Young with a mediocre record, but if Beckett wants a legit shot of beating Justin Verlander (16-5, 2.30, 186 K) or Jared Weaver (14-6, 1.78 ERA, 150 K), he'll need a few more Ks... and a little more run support.
Share the love boys!
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