June 29, 2009
Jon Lester only allowed five hits over seven scoreless innings in Monday's 4-0 win at Baltimore. He issued no walks and racked up eight strikeouts.
Our View:The rising star now has a winning record at 7-6, and has given up two or less earned runs in five of his last six outings.
|
June 24, 2009
Jon Lester allowed three earned runs on six hits over six innings in Wednesday's 6-4 win at Washington. He had two walks and fired six strikeouts.
Our View:It was not a strong outing for Lester while facing one of the worst teams in the majors, but his teammates provided enough offensive support for him to even his record to 6-6. He is 2-1 over four starts in June.
|
June 18, 2009
Jon Lester allowed two earned runs on eight hits over five innings in Thursday's 2-1 loss to Florida at Fenway Park. He had no walks and four strikeouts, and was tagged for two homers.
Our View:Lester was dealt a loss, and now has a losing record at 5-6. The game was called in the sixth inning due to rain. He has allowed two or less earned runs in each of his last four starts, and should remain active in fantasy leagues.
|
June 12, 2009
Jon Lester was solid in Friday's 5-2 win at Philadelphia, as he only allowed one earned run on two hits over seven innings. He had two walks and 11 strikeouts.
Our View:He held a 2-1 lead when he exited, but the Phillies tied the game at 2-2 in the ninth inning, leaving Lester with a no-decision. The game took 13 innings to decide. He did not claim a win, but fanatsy owners should still be pleased with his outing tonight.
|
June 6, 2009
Jon Lester put together an astounding performance on Saturday in the Red Sox' 8-1 win over the Rangers. Lester threw a complete game and allowed one run on two hits while walking two and striking out 11.
Our View:Lester took a perfect game into the seventh inning tonight, and in his last two starts he has given up two runs in 15 innings while striking out 23 during that time. It looks like he has everything figured out, and he should be considered one of the top fantasy options for the rest of the season.
|
June 1, 2009
The Boston Herald is reporting that Jon Lester feels like he is heading in the right direction after his 12 strikeout performance on Sunday. Lester feels like he has been trying to do too much, which may be the reason he has underachieved so far in 2009.
Our View:Whatever the problem was, it sure looked to be fixed yesterday. In addition to striking out 12 in just six innings, Lester limited the Jays to one run on only three hits. He has been infuriating fantasy owners this season, but when he puts it all together, like he did yesterday, he is elite. Now he just needs to be consistent.
|
May 31, 2009
Jon Lester was outstanding on Sunday as he picked up the win for the Red Sox. Lester went six innings and allowed one run on three hits while walking three and striking out 12.
Our View:This is what Lester owners have been expecting to see all year. 12 K's it amazing for a guy who only went six innings, but it just goes to show you how good he really is. Hopefully he uses this start as a springboard for the rest of the season, because he has the stuff to do this every time out.
|
May 26, 2009
Jon Lester had one rough inning on Tuesday, and it proved to be his downfall as he fell to the Twins 5-2. Lester went six innings and allowed five runs (all in the fifth)on six hits while walking three and striking out four.
Our View:Lester has been wildly inconsistent this season, and he is driving his fantasy owners crazy. He has all of the tools to be one of the better pitchers in baseball, but he isn't showing it every night out. Stick with him, and hope he finds a way to put it all together.
|
May 21, 2009
Jon Lester allowed just one run on eight hits and two walks over 6.1 innings in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Blue Jays. Lester upped his win total to three.
Our View:Lester has been in a funk this season, but Thursday's outing was a good sign. He looked sharp, and while he only struck out four, his walks were limited and he kept the ball in the yard. Expect him to build off of this, as he is a very talented young pitcher.
|
May 9, 2009
Jon Lester got rocked on Saturday as he allowed eight runs on ten hits and a walk over just 4.1 innings. He took his third loss of the season as the Sox got blasted by the Rays 14-5.
Our View:Lester has one thing going for him this season, his K/9. Other than that he's been a miserable starter. Many people expected bug things from this young hurler, but he has not been on his game at all this season. His 6.31 ERA will attest to that.
|
April 24, 2009
Jon Lester pitched very well on Friday but did not factor into the decision as the Red Sox came back to beat the Yankees in ten innings. Lester went six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits with three walks and seven strikeouts.
Our View:Lester pitched well, but his bullpen didn't help him out much. The team still pulled out the victory, but Lester didn't factor into the decision. Another decent start for Lester is good news for owners, so expect him to keep getting better.
|
April 19, 2009
Jon Lester got back on track Sunday, picking up a win over Baltimore after seven scoreless innings with four hits, two walks and nine strikeouts.
Our View:Lester's fantasy owners can breathe a sigh of relief. He had gotten rocked in each of his first two starts but was back to top form on Sunday; hopefully you didn't deal him away when his value almost certainly the lowest it'll be all year.
|
April 14, 2009
Jon Lester went six innings while allowing 10 hits, including two home runs, and six earned runs as Oakland beat Boston 8-2 on Monday. He struck out five in the outing.
Our View:Lester has simply been very hittable through two starts. He has allowed 18 hits in 11 innings while surrendering 11 earned runs. A lot of fantasy hopes have been tied to the young southpaw, but his start this season has been a severe disappointment.
|
April 8, 2009
Jon Lester allowed five runs over five innings on Wednesday as the Red Sox fell to the Rays 7-2. He was touched for eight hits, walked a pair of batters and was handed his first loss of the season.
Our View:ESPN's Peter Gammons recently said that he thinks Jon Lester is the best pitcher in the American League and that he's not alone in thinking that. Well, he certainly didn't show it in his first start of 2009. He was very good last year, but he'll have to do a lot better this season to live up to Gammons' hype.
|
April 3, 2009
Jon Lester allowed one run on three hits in four innings against the Mets at Citi Field on Friday.
Our View:Though he allowed just the one run, Lester was uncharacteristically wild, walking five batters and needing nearly 85 pitches to get through four innings.
|
March 29, 2009
Jon Lester allowed one earned run on six hits over five innings in Sunday's 3-1 win over the Phillies, with four walks and five strikeouts.
Our View:Lester is slated to hold the No. 2 spot in the rotation behind Josh Beckett. He should be a solid fantasy starter, but may leave a little bit to be desired in ths strikeouts department.
|
March 24, 2009
Hurler Jon Lester tossed 91 pitches in a minor league outing on Tuesday. He allowed 10 hits and four runs, but the key was to get in extended work. "You don't have the intensity that you would normally for a game, but you know you have to put that aside and get your work done," Lester informs the Boston Globe. "It was a struggle today, but I got up and down six times, got my pitch count up, so I've got to look at it that way. I can't look at the results and worry about all that."
Our View:As with Lester, we're not too worried about the results. The lefty will have two more spring outings to correct his glitches and get ready for the real thing.
|
March 19, 2009
Jon Lester remained sharp this spring while throwing 4.1 innings and allowing just one run on three hits and a walk in Thursday's 9-1 win over the Reds. He struck out six in the outing.
Our View:Lester was able to regain his velocity and control last season and he was a very effective pitcher because of it. In 10.2 innings this spring, he has allowed just two earned runs while striking out 11.
|
March 15, 2009
The Red Sox officially announced their five-year contract extension with left-handed starter Jon Lester on Sunday, according to the Boston Globe.
Our View:Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but at least one other source is reporting it is worth $30 million with a $13 million team option for 2014.
|
March 14, 2009
Jon Lester has been scratched from today's start with Baltimore, and he will instead pitch in an intrasquad game at the minor league facility in advance of an announcement regarding the pitcher tomorrow, according to the Boston Globe.
Our View:Lester will be taking a physical this weekend to finalize his five-year deal with the Red Sox worth $30MM. Lester should be a solid starting pitcher in fantasy leagues this season, but his strikeout totals may leave a bit to be desired.
|
March 13, 2009
Jon Lester is slated to take a physical this weekend, according to the Boston Globe. If he passes, his new five-year, $30 million contract will become official.
Our View:The Sox were smart to lock up Lester early. He was an exceptional fantasy starter last year and all signs point to him getting even better. Lester shined down the stretch posting a 2.95 ERA after the All Star break, pitched phenomenally at home and should have no trouble racking up wins with the lineup behind him. If you can snag him on draft day, do so. He won't last too long.
|
March 9, 2009
Jon Lester didn't look so hot for Boston just one day after signing a new contract with the Red Sox. He allowed four runs on a walk and four hits in 2.1 innings. However, only one of the runs was earned and he struck out a pair.
Our View:Lester went 16-6 last year with a 3.21 ERA and we think that the best is yet to come. He should be expected to win at least 15 games again in 2008 and could approach 200 strikeouts after fanning 152 in 2008.
|
March 8, 2009
Jon Lester has agreed to a five-year extension with the Red Sox worth $30MM, according to Yahoo Sports. The deal includes a $13MM club option for 2014.
Our View:Lester is off to a strong start in the spring, as he is yet to allow a run over two outings. Lester is worth drafting highly as one of the better left-handed starting pitchers in the American League after a season of 210.1 innings and 16 victories.
|
March 3, 2009
Jon Lester threw two hitless innings in Tuesday's 9-8 loss to the Reds, with two strikeouts on no walks.
Our View:He is off to a strong start, as he is yet to allow a run over two spring outings.
|
February 26, 2009
Jon Lester threw well in his first outing of the spring Thursday against the Pirates. In two innings of work, he allowed two hits and struck out a man while keeping the Bucs off the scoreboard.
Our View:With a top-notch rotation in place, the Red Sox don't necessarily need Lester to exceed last year's numbers, so anything more than 16 wins and an ERA below 3.50 will be a fantastic bonus that could make the rotation truly dominant.
|
February 21, 2009
The Boston Red Sox and starting pitcher Jon Lester are considering negotiating a long-term deal, Joe Haggerty, of the Boston Metro, reports. "It's one of those deals where hopefully when and if they approach me we can work something out to not only be a Red Sox for the next four or five years, but for my whole career," Lester said.
Our View:A long-term deal for Lester would be similar to the four-year, $30 million contract Angels starter Ervin Santana recently signed. It is believed Lester is seeking at least a five-year deal.
|
January 21, 2009
MLB.com reports that Red Sox starter Jon Lester was named as the recipient of the Hutch Award, which is given every year to the Major League Baseball player who best exemplifies the dedication to team, family, and community and best symbolizes the honor, courage, and perseverance of former big-league pitcher and manager Fred Hutchinson, after whom the award is named.
Our View:Hutchinson, who coached in a World Series with the Reds in 1961, died of cancer at age 45 in 1964. His brother, Bill, founded the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, which is now known throughout the world for its leading research. Less than nine months after being diagnosed with anaplastic large-cell lymphoma, Lester entered Spring Training with the Red Sox in the spring of 2007 after undergoing extensive chemotherapy at the Hutchinson Center.
|
