10 pitchers who have surprised in 2015
By Jason Evans
John Lackey
John Lackey was a part of the chicken and beer fiasco with the Boston Red Sox. That’s probably what he is best known for in his career. People forget the guy is a pretty good pitcher too.
He started Game seven of the 2002 World Series and helped the Angels beat the San Francisco Giants for the crown. He got a big free agent contract with the Boston Red Sox after the 2009 season. His first season was okay. His second season was a disaster where he led the league in earned runs, giving up 114 in 160 innings.
He got Tommy John surgery and missed the 2012 season. Because of this, his 2015 salary became just $500,000 because of a clause in his contract.
He didn’t have the best record for the 2013 champion Red Sox, but he had fewer hits than innings pitched, and had his highest K/9 rate as a Red Sox.
Lackey was steady with the Red Sox last season, going 11-7 with a 3.60 ERA. But the Red Sox were out of contention and trying to re-tool a bit. Lackey was a part of the unexpected trade with the Cardinals for Joe Kelly and Allen Craig.
Lackey went .500 down the stretch and won a playoff game last season.
The 36 year old this season has been healthy and steady. He’s only 11-9, but has posted a 2.90 ERA and been a stable part of a Cardinals rotation that lost Adam Wainwright and was without guys like Jamie Garcia. No one expected this and Lackey were certainly get more than 500k next season.