Could Beckett Hurt the Sox in Playoffs Again?

The signs look bad for Josh Beckett's potential to shine in the playoffs. In his last, regular-season start on Saturday, Beckett could have reassured Red Sox Nation by simply throwing his fastball with his usual sharp command. Instead, Beckett could not locate his fastball AT ALL in the first few innings. He was BAD. If he'd been pitching against the Yankees, he might've been knocked out the game, but, because it was the Indians, he wiggled his way out of things without more damage. Yet, for Beckett, you have to wonder when he's going to get his fastball command back. He's been pitching in sub-par fashion for nearly two months now -- with some outings far worse than others, but none at the high calibre of the great stretch he had earlier in the summer.
Beckett improved somewhat in his last couple of innings, but, overall, it was a mediocre outing.

It's impossible to know what's going on with Beckett and the mystery is heightened by his "John Wayne" tendencies when it comes to not admitting when he's hurt. My own guess, for a while now, is that Beckett has been tired in recent weeks -- that his arm is fatgued and that he should have been rested. Evidence suggested that. Beckett has never thrown as many innings as he has this season, and, he always pitches better when on 5 days rest rather than 4 -- and there are more facts that back up this theory. In any event, now, we all have to just hope that another five days gives Beckett a little extra strength to pitch more like his old self in Game Two vs the Angels. I don't think he's going to be able to get back to his old form, however. I think he's really tired, and, probably would benefit from shutting it down for the season now.

I hope I'm wrong. In other developments: Buchholz pitched his second lousy game in a row today - the last day of the season, so, he, too, is cause for worry. Who knows if he can stay poised on the mound in Game 3, especially after he runs into a jam? He's been better about losing his poise in recent weeks, but, his most recent two starts make you wonder if playoff regression is possible.

All in all, I just don't think this is the Red Sox year - and I think the Angels will in. Before, I guessed in five games, but, my revision now is that it could be in any combination -- I just think the Angels's superiority will guide them to beating the Sox this time.