J. Lester has been looking goos this Spring. Today, we saw the JL of old . I am thrilled to see the mechanics flow and the best this guy has reappear.

very very encouraging!

Perfect through 6 today!

WOW!  Looked GREAT!  :)

I would love to see a Sox 1 - 2 going for the Cy Young with Lester & Buch battling it out.

OK....   Big time wishful thinking, but I think it's possible.  If they both pitch to their potential.

I'm loving this year!!!!

while they are both pitching well so far you can't even talk about Cy Young until A) the season starts and B) we see what the competition looks like.

but, our rotation has looked fantastic so far through ST, if they pitch remotely close to this good over the season then we're definitely headed to the PS.

In response to mef429's comment:

LOL!  Oh can't I????

I'm calling it early :)   Why not?

I really think Lester and Buch have as much potential as anybody in the league if healthy.  Might as well make the prediction early.  We're due for a little good health this year!!

Lester is really looking sharp.  Working quickly!  Nasty / filthy stuff early.....  We shall see ;)

In response to mef429's comment:

It's hard not to get excited to see our pitchers doing so well.  They have the talent - they just need to stay healthy and do what they are capable of doing.

 

yes he did and it was a good game to watch

In response to LeftyGrove's comment:

Our Ace................

If he gives up one run in the first next start, they'll be 200 posts predicting ruination.

In response to Joebreidey's comment:

 

 

basher

In response to Joebreidey's comment:

Yup. I predict at least one poster would demand he be moved in a Blockbustaaaa.

In response to carnie's comment:

Hmmm ... now who would that be?

There is nothing more desirable for Sox fans  than  to see Jon Lester fulfill his potential as a big time , top of the rotation starter.  This is critical to our success. .

Last year Lester pitched like a number 3 or 4 starter. I don't know if he can ever be an ace at this point, but I'm glad to be surprised. Right now if he can keep this up he'll be at least a strong 2 and if Buch can do the same we'll have the core of a decent staff. I must say between that and the good hitting of Iggy there is a lot to like right now....

In response to Joebreidey's comment:

Hey Joe,

Lester's body of work over the last few years suggests that when he's right, he's an above average ML starter. I'm pretty sure that if he gives us 33 starts-220 IP with sub 4 ERA Farrel will take that and we'll win more than our share of his games pitched. End of the day it's on him to prove to all that he's ready to get back to the business of getting guys out.

The naysayers that are the doom & gloom club led by Shaunessy and his ilk are always at the ready to find fault and predict the worst...One of the inconvienances of being a Sox fan...

 

In response to BostonTrollSpanker's comment:

 

Last year Lester pitched like a number 3 or 4 starter. I don't know if he can ever be an ace at this point, but I'm glad to be surprised. Right now if he can keep this up he'll be at least a strong 2 and if Buch can do the same we'll have the core of a decent staff. I must say between that and the good hitting of Iggy there is a lot to like right now....

 

He was an "Ace" or a TOTR starter before 2012, so why not? Most people here seem to base his career off of last year and not the 4 years prior.

But I do agree with you that there is a lot to like about this team right now. Even with the injuries.

 

 

I think what is most impressive so far is the control....very few BBs. That was his downfall last year. He lost control of the zone and when that happened, RH hitters wouldn't chase the pitch down and in, and he needs that to happen to be effective.

In response to Alibiike's comment:

His mechanics look great this year ike. Hes very compact and not flying open. I could see 20 wins from him this year and be involved in Cy Young talks if he keeps going the way he is. The kid was one of the best LHP/pitchers in MLB before last year. Hes in his prime. I expect big things from Lester this season.

In response to southpaw777's comment:

It'll be interesting to see if he can shake the Slow Start Blues, this year.

His ST work has been very encouraging.

It needs to carry over into April.

Actually, this team has been a pleasant surprise to me this spring. I know the record is still 0-0, but I feel a  little better about the upcoming season than I did a  month ago.

 

Jon Lester 15-8 with a 3.40 era in 2013. Traded by August or signed to an extention?

In response to BurritoT-'s comment:

The team has an option on him for 2014 for $13 million.

In response to Hfxsoxnut's comment:

I can't see the Red Sox trading Jon Lester, but hypothetically ...

If the Sox trade Lester during the season, does his potential compensation pick travel with him? Would the Red Sox first need to exercise the 2014 option for the potential 2015 compensation pick to accompany Lester? How early can the Red Sox exercise the 2014 option?

Though I am excited at his ST showing thus far, and confident that he will have a big bounce back year, I will reserve getting too excited until we get through April, Jon Lester's kryptonite.