Red Sox Gambling There'll Be a Game Seven

Jon Lester is the best starting pitcher in the American League Championship Series. Jonathan Papelbon is the best closer. And the Red Sox are going to lose, anyway. First off, Lester isn't pitching until Game three, a decision that gives the Red Sox's top three starters maximum rest, but raises the possibility that the Sox can lose in six games while pitching Lester only once. Daisuke Matsuzaka, Josh Beckett and Lester will start Games one, two, and three, then five, six, and seven, respectively, if necessary. The Sox's rationale is that if they lead three games to two, they will need to win only one game—Beckett's or Lester's. If they're down three to two, they will need to win both. Fair enough, and Lester already has thrown 224 1/3 innings, including his two starts in the Division Series, an increase of more than 60 innings over last season. Here's the problem: The Red Sox could be down two games to none before he ever throws a pitch. The Sox were 1-8 at Tropicana Field this ... (link)