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October 4, 2007
The good thing about Josh Beckett's performance Wednesday night is that the right-hander was so dominant, Boston manager Terry Francona didn't have to summon anyone from his bullpen.
The only troublesome aspect of that complete-game four-hit, 4-0 shutout was that the relievers didn't get any work in Game One of the ALDS. And that means that, come tomorrow night when Game Two is played at Fenway Park, the relievers will have gone at least four days without having pitched in a game, since the regular-season finale last Sunday.
It's a problem, but not a major one, especially with the Red Sox up, 1-0, in the best-of-five series.
"I think we all hope that we don't get in a situation where you're overusing (the relievers)," said Francona. "And I think we also hope that when you get into a situation where you need a pivotal out from your bullpen that they'll be rested but not rusty. That's why we have the optional workouts today."
Relievers Mike Timlin and Javier Lopez were on hand this morning, keeping their arms loose.
Francona did have relievers up in the bullpen behind Beckett Wednesday night. Jonathan Papelbon and Hideki Okajima were throwing when the Angels batted in the eighth, and Papelbon and Eric Gagne were throwing when the Red Sox batted in the eighth.
-- Steven Krasner
Posted by Steven Krasner 
at 12:56 PM | Permalink
