Walks Will Kill You

I don't have a reference, but I think I remember reading that leadoff walks score about sixty percent of the time. There's where the old K/BB ratio rears its ugly head.

Last night, it was David Aardsma, triggering the Jays' seventh inning rally. The Sox staff is back at it today, now with Kyle Snyder walking a pair to open the sixth.

Starters: 4 counting now

Beckett (coming back tomorrow)
Matsuzaka
Lester
Wakefield
Buchholz (on the Bubble)
Colon (in waiting)

Relief:

Papelbon
Okajima
Delcarmen
Tavarez
Lopez
Corey
Snyder
Aardsma
Timlin

Likely rotation resolution:

Beckett
Matsuzaka
Lester
Wakefield
Colon

Bullpen:

Papelbon
Delcarmen
Okajima
Timlin
Tavarez
Corey

I've been a Snyder guy but I'm off the bandwagon. Lopez's primary utility is being a southpaw, and Aardsma is another suspect. Corey isn't helping his cause much today, getting mercilessly beaten like a rented mule. He's taking one for the team here.

Of all the sins of relief pitching, failure to throw strikes has to rank near the top.