Josh Beckett misses All-Star game to play against the Tampa Bay Rays – MLB News
The Boston Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett had to leave the All-Star game on Tuesday, July 12, due to a sore knee, sparking speculations about his fitness. The right-hander failed to throw a single pitch and ended up being replaced prior to the commencement
of the game.
"I was almost done with my warm-ups. I think I had about 10 pitches left," Beckett said. "A lot of it is you don't get to go through the same routine. You're rushing around, you're doing this, you're doing that. It's in the back of your head when you feel
it.”
Much that the sudden fitness problem did, there was a 5-1 loss for the American League as they were wrecked by the National League. However, the AL manager did not lay the blame on Beckett’s departure.
However, of great importance for the Red Sox is the quick fitness of the starter. Beckett did not want to endanger his fitness due to AL game. For him, and – above all – his team, the second half holds greater importance.
"I don't think so," said Beckett. "I could have pitched. I'm not comfortable going out there and getting hurt in the All-Star Game and costing myself starts in the second half. I think that's how everybody should be.....there are some important things that
are ahead."
Considering the fact that the Red Sox have no less than three pitchers on the disabled list – which include Clay Buchholz, Daisuka Matsuzaka and Jon Lester, Beckett’s injury will serve as a blow to the Red Sox.
Having an 8-3 record with a 2.27 ERA, Beckett’s endeavour in the 17 starts indeed bodes well for his team. His presence, therefore, becomes absolutely necessary for the Red Sox given the fitness problems of other pitchers.
Boston had started the first-season that was not only disappointing but also very surprising. Given the fact that the team had in their fold the world’s best players, it had a record of 12-15.
However, having had the best side in the baseball, the Red Sox resurfaced with wins that were breathtaking at best and not surprisingly. They now have 55 wins to their credit in the first half with 34 losses, occupying second place in the ranking.
In the AL standing, the Red Sox – even though meeting tough resistance, has now gone well beyond New York Yankees which has won 53 games compared to the Red Sox 55 wins – the latter being the top on AL-Standings.
It remains worthwhile to see how the confident Red Sox start the second half of the season with their first encounter against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday.
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