Who was that guy on the mound last night for the Boston Red Sox and where did they get him from?
That’s right it was the Daisuke Matsuzaka that was advertised about back when the Red Sox signed him before the 2007 season. He was definitely not the same pitcher we’ve seen over the last 2 plus seasons. This was the same Dice-K who has led Japan to two WBC crowns and the same pitcher who was named WBC MVP two times.
Matsuzaka relied heavily on his fastball last night and had great command and location with it. He also mixed in his breaking stuff and more importantly, he didn’t nibble at the corners. Sure he got into some minor trouble but unlike in his previous eight starts this season, he was able to get out of any jam.
He threw 93 pitches in six scoreless innings of work in his first start since June 19th, an 8-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves.
For Matsuzaka to be relied on down the stretch, he needs to go out and perform like he did last night in his next start. And then again in the next one after that.
Let’s hope that last night was just a glimpse of what’s to come going forward for Dice-K.
Loaded Dice [Boston Globe]
No ifs about it: He was on a roll [Boston Globe]
Youkilis (back) ailing; Martinez away [Boston Globe]
Small ball produced big result [Boston Globe]
Match made in heaven? [Boston Globe]
Yankees opening and closing act in ’10 [Boston Globe]
Big Papi is the biggest DH [RedSox.com]
Ortiz going toe-to-toe with … himself [RedSox.com]
Sox honored by lymphoma foundation [RedSox.com]
Papi forms partnership with Mass. General [RedSox.com]
Dice-K Allows No Runs, 3 Hits In 6 Innings For Win [Hartford Courant]
Yanks Open, Close 2010 At Red Sox [Hartford Courant]
Lucky 13 [Extra Bases]
Matsuzaka catching up [Full Count]
Dice-K authors surprise start at Fenway [Hacks with Haggs]
Dice-K [Hit and Run with Dan Roche]
Dice-K dazzles in his return [Providence Journal]
Matsuzaka provides a shot in the arm for Red Sox rotation [Providence Journal]
Red Sox Journal: Youkilis sidelined by lower back spasms [Providence Journal]
Red Sox trying to do the right think with Wakefield’s bad back [Providence Journal]
Making their pitch for October [Tony Massarotti – Boston Globe]
Ramirez regains magic touch [Joe Haggerty – WEEI.com]
Five Things We Learned: Matsuzaka Shouldn’t Be Alone In Receiving Kudos [Rob Bradford – WEEI.com]
Starry night for Daisuke Matsuzaka [Boston Herald]
Daisuke Matszuaka works hard to be a better fit [Boston Herald]
Kevin Youkilis backs out [Boston Herald]
Angels hit Red Sox from different angle [Boston Herald]
Red Sox-Yankees opening at Fenway in doubt [Boston Herald]
For more slices of Boston Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, and Providence Journal websites.
And if you must see what the enemy papers are saying you can check out the LA Times, Orange County Register and LA Daily News websites.
