With the arrival of John Lackey the Red Sox have six starters: Beckett, Lester, Lackey, Dice-K, Buchholz, and Wakefield. It is very unlikely that Boston goes with a six-man rotation so Wake appears to be the odd man out. One of the starters will be end up on the DL at some point this season so each of the six will get some starts but it looks like Wakefield will be in the bullpen when the season begins. Unfortunately Wake is a better pitcher after he settles down: his career ERA is 5.60 in his first 15 pitches and it drops down after that. He would likely get the unglorified job of long relief man but he will step up and do whatever is asked of him as usual. Wakefield is 21 K’s away from #2000 in his career; fans should celebrate that moment even if it comes out of the bullpen.
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