3. What will the prime of Josh Beckett look like?
It's not humanly possible to be better than he was last postseason -- 4-0, 19 H and 4 ER in 30 IP, with 35 K's, only 2 BB's and an ERA of 1.20. Beckett, a 20-game winner for the first time last season, turns 28 in May. Since 1970, only 11 pitchers in the five seasons since they turned 28 (before June 30) averaged 15 or more wins per season while winning at least 60 percent of their decisions and maintaining an ERA under 4.00. Two pitchers on that list won more than 70 percent of their starts: Pedro Martinez (75-26, .743, 2.53) and Greg Maddux (87-32, .731, 2.10). Is that the kind of company Beckett will keep over the next five seasons?
It's not humanly possible to be better than he was last postseason -- 4-0, 19 H and 4 ER in 30 IP, with 35 K's, only 2 BB's and an ERA of 1.20. Beckett, a 20-game winner for the first time last season, turns 28 in May. Since 1970, only 11 pitchers in the five seasons since they turned 28 (before June 30) averaged 15 or more wins per season while winning at least 60 percent of their decisions and maintaining an ERA under 4.00. Two pitchers on that list won more than 70 percent of their starts: Pedro Martinez (75-26, .743, 2.53) and Greg Maddux (87-32, .731, 2.10). Is that the kind of company Beckett will keep over the next five seasons?
(Globe Staff Photo / Jim Davis)