Projo Sox Blog

BY DANIEL BARBARISI
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- After getting shelled for the second straight outing, Josh Beckett gets it.

He knows everyone is wondering about his health. He came into this postseason with a lifetime playoff ERA under 2.00, but has given up 14 runs in just over nine innings these last two weeks.

But no matter how many times he denies that he's ailing, the questions keep coming.

"I can understand it, but if I tell you I'm fine that's what you've got to go on," Beckett said.
"Unless you guys are getting information somewhere else, I don't know what to tell you guys. You just keep asking the same questions about my health -- I tell you I'm fine. Just go on, write that. I'm fine."

Beckett strained an oblique muscle during a bullpen session towards the end of the regular season. Manager Terry Francona said that the aftereffects of that injury may be holding Beckett back from unloading his full repertoire on the opposition.

'I think he's still fighting some inconsistencies on what pitches he feels he can throw maybe in a key spot and not get hurt. You could see him thinking through it and kind of grinding through it a little bit," Francona said.

Beckett, for his part, is aware of his own struggles.

"I pitched like [garbage]. I gave up eight [darned] runs," he said before turning back to his locker.

 Tags  Barbarisi Josh Beckett Terry Francona

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