4/2/08 - Jon Lester vs Rich Harden

by Dan C

Jon Lester will take the hill for the Red Sox following up an impressive pitching performance by fellow staffer Dice-K Matsuzaka. Matsuzaka allowed only 2 hits through 6 and 2/3 innings of work, walked none and stuck out 9 Athletics. He looked much sharper then his opening day start in Japan where he had control problems and had to pitch out of two bases loaded jam situations early on. Lester did not look bad in his start last week but served up a 3-run homer to Emil Brown that was be enough damage to hand him the loss.

For the Athletics, Rich Harden looks to repeat his strong opening performance in which he allowed 1 run on 3 hits over 6 innings of work. Harden, who missed the majority of the 2007 season due to injury, will be trying to surpass his win total of last year with tonight’s outing.

The key for both pitchers will be to throw strikes early on to establish the strike zone, not allowing hitters to sit back and wait for lower 90’s fastballs. Harden needs to mix in his curve, while Lester will showcase a strong changeup.