BECKETT: THE BEST OF WHAT PITCHERS DO BEST

Josh Beckett is on fire. And Red Sox pitchers have continued to demonstrate why a 6 man rotation is moronic. Daisuke with his consistent strain on the bullpen, and now Beckett. Do you really want to reduce this guy's starts just as he's heating up?

7.2 innings pitched, 2 hits, 2 walks, 9 strikeouts, 0 earned runs, and a no-hitter taken into the 8th. In his last 22.2 innings, he's allowed 1 earned run. He's had 6 straight Quality Starts, and he's 4-0 since the start of May.

JD Drew's starting to look good. June is his month, and he was 2 for 3 with a homer. It was also nice seeing Ortiz get an RBI double in the 8th. Then again, everyone was hitting the ball in the 8th inning.

The Sox look for their first 3 game road sweep of the season Thursday afternoon at 1. Wakefield faces Dontrelle Willis.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Duane Burleson

BRUINS BRILLIANTLY RESIGN KRECJI

The Bruins answered one of their two biggest off-season questions by extending David Krejci's contract for 3 more years. The deal is said to be worth a bit more than $11 million in total, which means the 23 year old will only be hitting the cap for $3.75 million a year.

This is a steal. Krejci had 22 goals, and 51 assists in 08-09, along with the best +/- in the NHL (+37). He has nothing but upside, and reminds me of Marc Savard, only with more shooting ability.

Now the next question is Phil Kessel. There are rumors of Kessel being traded for the 3rd overall pick. There are also rumors of Savard being traded. If Savard goes, then keeping Kessel is a piece of cake, and you promote Krejci to the top line.

I don't think I've ever been this excited in June for an upcoming Bruins season.

Source:
Boston.com

THE SOX SOMEHOW GET THE JOB DONE

Despite allowing 9 hits and 3 walks, Red Sox pitchers held the Tigers to 1 run. Daisuke was greatly assisted by 3 double plays turned behind him. And after struggling at the start of the 9th inning, Papelbon bore down and struck out the side.

Daisuke's performance is a great example of why a 6 man rotation would be devastating. Losing a bullpen pitcher would mean one less arm to absorb the 4 innings of work Daisuke gives to the bullpen, even when he pitches well.

But I'll say this in Daisuke's favor. He allowed 6 hits in 5 innings. But they were all singles. He gets slightly burnt, but he doesn't burst into flames.

David Ortiz has one more week until he has to leave the lineup for an extended period. I'm sorry, but getting a looping line drive single doesn't encourage me. He needs to hit .250+ for a 5 game stretch. That's not asking too much, is it?

Jason Bay blasted his 16th homerun of the season, and it propelled the Sox to victory. He has 51 RBI now. That's 7 more homers than Manny Ramirez, and 31 more runs batted in. Manny's been stuck on 6 HRs, and 20 RBIs for awhile now. Don't know what's up with that.

Man of the Game:
Jason Bay. Only one hit, but it was a big one.

Josh Beckett takes the hill tonight, looking to continue his hot streak.

Source:
ESPN.com

Photo Credit:
AP Photo/Duane Burleson