The relationship between the Red Sox and Dice-K Matsuzaka has been a tumultuous one, to say the least. Over the past 3+ years, there have been numerous mysterious injuries and miscommunications. There have been instances in which Dice-K has bad-mouthed the organization and training staff to the Japanese media, creating some dislike amongst fans in Boston. The saga is on-going, but in the background, Dice-K is beginning to hit his stride and dominate the competition.
After beginning the season on May 1st after a neck injury sidelined him at the end of Spring Training, Dice-K did everything but impress. He allowed 7 runs (6 earned) in 4.2 innings against the awful Baltimore Orioles, while walking 3 and striking out 4. He allowed 2 home runs and began the year with an 11.57 era, once again opening the door for critics. As the season has worn on, Dice-K has had a handful of less than stellar performances, but overall has been improving slowly, almost without notice from fans.
Being overshadowed by injuries galore, the Japanese starter has gradually reduced his era each game and now sits at a solid 4.29 after Monday night’s performance in Oakland. Dice-K has allowed just 12 earned runs in his last 6 starts and has had a respectable (by his standards) walks to strikeouts ratio (16 walks, 33 strikeouts). Dice-K is now a winner of his last 2 starts and sits at 7-3 on the season.
Monday night’s performance was a bit of a coming-out party, if that’s possible for one of the most talked about pitchers of the last decade in Boston. Dice-K has been in the background just doing his job and continually improving upon his command and decreasing his tendency to nibble around the plate. In 6.2 innings on Monday, Dice-K allowed just 2 hits and 1 run (solo-home run), while striking out 6 and walking just 2 Athletic batters.
When looking at the numbers, it is obvious to me why Dice-K has won his last 2 starts in July. For him, one of the best indicators of success is his strike %, and on both July 11th and July 19th, Dice-K threw 70% strikes. In his 3 starts prior, Dice-K didn’t come close to reaching even the 60% mark and sat in the mid-50’s, which resulted in 2 no-decisions and 1 loss. Statistics don’t always tell you the whole story, but it’s amazing how they never seem to lie.
Dice-K will not live up to the hype of being the next ace and the $100-million man, but if the Sox can salvage Dice-K’s MLB career but putting him at the end of the rotation, then go for it. He seems to shine when not in the spotlight, so let’s hope he continues to lurk in the shadows and pitch well. It’s certainly nice to have the luxury of a strong pitcher in the 4th or 5th spot in the rotation, because that is what separates the good teams from the great teams.
I am still a critic of Dice-K and although I have appreciated all the material he has given me to write about, he has handled himself inappropriately on a few too many occasions. That being said, this is a results based league, so as long as he goes out there every 5 games and gives the team a solid outing, then he will be on my okay side. The bigger question for me is: How long will he stay healthy?
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