Wakefield to start Game 2 against Mariners. Lester moved to Friday.
Jon Lester had gone through his normal pregame routine but his next start will have to wait. Prepared to pitch Wednesday night against the Seattle Mariners at Fenway, Lester instead will pitch Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays.
The problem isn't with Lester but Daisake Matsuzaka. He's been diagnosed with a sore lower back and will miss his next start. It hasn't been Wakefield's best year as he's just 3-9 on the season with an ERA of 5.29. However in his last six appearances out of the bullpen, Wakefield has pitched 11 innings and given up just 4 runs, 3 earned (ERA of 3.26) while striking out 9 and walking just 3.
Felix Hernandez can sympathize with Wakefield. He's just 9-10 on the season but has an ERA of 2.31 and 183 strike outs and is considered one of the better pitchers in the American League.
