THEY'RE DAVID:

So far, Sox are leading arms race (Providence Journal, April 15, 2007)

This is getting monotonous. And Red Sox fans would love to see it continue as long as possible.

The team’s starting pitching, expected to be an area of strength, is living up to its billing. Ten games into the season, there are positives everywhere.

Yesterday, it was Curt Schilling’s turn. He went eight excellent innings, allowing only four hits as he led Boston to an 8-0 triumph over Anaheim. That meant he was just keeping up with his fellow starters.

Friday night, Tim Wakefield went seven innings, giving up just one run and five hits. Before that, Daisuke Matsuzaka turned in what will be recorded as a quality start, allowing three runs and eight hits over seven innings. The previous day might have been the best of all as Josh Beckett went seven outstanding innings, yielding only two hits and one run, with no walks and eight strikeouts.

That adds up to a four-game stretch in which the Boston starters have gone 29 innings and allowed only five runs as the Sox have outscored their opponents, 32-7.

It’s a trend Boston fans could live with all season. Starting pitchers simply do not put up those kind of numbers very often. Not any more.

They still have some hitting weaknesses, but the pitching is even better than anticipated, including Devern Hansack and John Lester obviously major league ready but in the minors.

Posted by Orrin Judd at April 15, 2007 1:42 PM