THE PRESSURE’S ON – WHICH PEDRO WILL SHOW TONIGHT?
ST. LOUIS – Tonight is the first World Series start in Pedro Martinez’ illustrious career. Not to spoil the party, but will he finally pitch like a three-time Cy Young Award winner this postseason?
The Red Sox are in an almost perfect position heading into their longtime ace’s Game 3 start. Boston is up two games to none with a fully rested Martinez hurling opposite St. Louis’ Jeff Suppan, an inexperienced playoff pitcher.
If this were 1999, Martinez would likely stick the ball up the Cardinals’ tailpipe. But it’s not. So what will the pending free agent, who turned 33 yesterday, give the Sox in what could be his final appearance for Boston?
Martinez again blew off the workout day press conference. Epstein was asked if he thinks the Yankees will go after him.
While the Yanks need pitching, Martinez has produced one (slightly) above-average playoff start this October. He lasted seven innings during an ALDS Game 2 start in Anaheim, allowing three earned runs on six hits during an 8-3 victory.
His fastball was electric that night as he broke a personal four-game losing streak. Since then, the results have been mediocre at best.
Martinez produced a quality start in an ALCS Game 2 start at Yankee Stadium, but he allowed a two-run, sixth-inning homer by John Olerud that gave the Bombers a 3-0 lead that they turned into a victory.
Similarly, Martinez did the “Pedro Fade” after 100 pitches in Game 5 at Fenway Park, allowing Derek Jeter’s three-run, sixth-inning double that gave the Yanks a 4-2 lead.
And his Game 7 seventh-inning relief appearance was atrocious, as Martinez pitched an inning of batting practice to turn an 8-1 lead into an 8-3 game.
Teammates were unconcerned by his inconsistent efforts, focusing instead on the moment at hand.
Manny Ramirez, who has played in two previous World Series (1995 and 1997), predicted Martinez was not going to get any sleep last night.