Key Starts of the Day, 9/21/07
by Ken In Toronto

Question: How did Scott Olsen allow 8 UNEARNED runs and leave the game down 8-4? His team committed 6 ERRORS! Better question - How does a major league team commit 6 errors in a game?! Word to the wise, careful when picking up Marlin pitchers for sniper starts down the stretch - they have talent but very high risk.

DOMINANT:

Josh Beckett @ TB (W, 6IP, 1ER, 4H, 2BB, 8K)

An impressive start against a good home offense made Beckett the first 20 game
winner of 2007, and the first in the majors since 2005! The Rays were able to pull
18 pitches an inning out of Josh, prompting his relief after only 6 innings and 113
 pitches. He did throw 69% of them for strikes an resisted retaliating after two
Red Sox were beamed by Kazmir in the third. The only extra base hit allowed by
Beckett was a two out run scoring double to Delmon Young in the first. Beckett
will look to improve his position for the Cy Young award next week at
 home against the Twins.

DISASTER:

Jason Marquis v PIT (2.2IP, 7ER, 8H, 2BB, 1K)

In a game owners were likely expecting a win, Marquis got manhandled. Maybe
it’s the news of a new GM in Pittsburgh, but Marquis could not get anyone out
 in this one. Pinella only let Jason throw 55 pitches before pulling him and sitting
 down in the clubhouse for a heart to heart. At the end of the year Jason will
have datable numbers - he’s currently 12-8 with a 4.35 ERA - but they don’t
show the inconsistency. In the end Maquis lacks the upside and starts like this make
 him less a sniper start candidate and more a DTM.