Daisuke Matsuzaka’s Sports Illustrated cover was released and his arm didn’t fall off. (Thanks to Eagle-Tribune crack sports reporter Alan Siegel for the heads-up.)
In fact, the game’s best No. 3 starter (I’m going out on a limb already) looked pretty darn good against Pittsburgh, giving up just one run and one hit over 5 2/3 innings while striking out seven. He also retired the 15 of the last 16 batters he faced.
Matsuzaka has now also walked just two batters during the entirety of spring training. Actually, check this out – the entire Boston starting rotation has totaled just one more walk (8) than Julian Tavarez (7).
As for Matsuzaka, in the game against the Bucs I think we got a pretty good taste on the kind of pitcher he has been. I’m not saying he is Pedro Martinez, but you can see the similarities in how he tortures hitters with varying velocity. The scouts who had followed him in Japan had promised 96 mph fastballs to go with the big curve, tight slider, and Wiffleball change. Yesterday Daisuke delivered.
Again, according to people in the know, one of Matsuzaka’s biggest obstacles is staying on point with the game-plan and understanding that he won’t be able to get away with some things he skated by with in Japan. He is very much a feel pitcher who uses his various weapons as the mood strikes him. But early on he is going to have to work more off the foundation presented by Jason Varitek than he might after a few months into the schedule.
In other news, crack MLB.com reporter Ian Browne passes along that the Red Sox will be announcing their closer early next week. Talking to buddy Alex Speier of the Manchester Union-Leader and he raised a good point about the possibility of Tavarez starting the season in the role: If Tavarez has a downturn it would be a lot easier to reassign him in the bullpen than it would be for Joel Pineiro, whom the Sox surely want to see cultivate his confidence as the season progresses. Going a couple of weeks, or a month, and giving up on Pineiro might result in a no-turning-back proposition.
That said, Pineiro is most certainly positioning himself for a healthy shot at the role heading into the final week of the competition. The Red Sox are encouraged by the fact that his history suggests the righty usually finishes his spring trainings with solid momentum, as has been evidenced by improved arm strength.
As for Chad Cordero, all signs are that Washington continues to ask for far too much.
Much thanks to the creator of 38 Pitches for the bloggerific plug.
A question was asked about potential minor leaguers who have impressed this spring. Made a call and wanted to pass on that Justin Masterson (one of the ones mentioned in the query) has made his presence felt. Another is 19-year-old catcher Ty Weeden. The backstop who was taken in the 16th round last year (he was thought by some as a first or second-rounder but scared off some by a commitment to Arkansas) has transformed his 6-foot-2 frame with offseason workouts. Good news for a catching-starved system.
Somebody also asked why the Red Sox wouldn’t view Jonathan Papelbon’s spot as the rotation’s No. 4 man as not nearly as valuable as the closer role. Normally that would be very true, but in this case Papelbon existence is viewed as a potential top-of-the-rotation guy, not currently-implanted fourth starter. And when it comes to idea of securing a future No. 1 or No. 2 – and grooming him in that world – that always overshadows a pitcher’s current lot in life.
Again, get your questions for Dayton Moore in as soon as possible. You don’t want to pass up an opportunity to become familiar with Boston’s first foe …
