Last year rookie pitchers Dice K of Boston and Tim Lincecum of San Francisco were heavily hyped. Both had pretty good seasons and showed signs of great promise. But both also fell somewhat short of the hype.

But in their sophomore seasons they are living up to the hype. Check it out:

Daisuke Matsuzaka went 15-12 with a 4.40 ERA and 201 SO in his rookie season for the Red Sox. Somewhat underwhelming numbers for a pitcher who was as hyped as he was. But the Red Sox won the World Series so folks were pleased enough.

But this year he's killing it. He's currently 10-1 with a 2.65 ERA in 2008. Although it's not all good news. He's had some problems with his control this year and he has 57 walks in just 88.3 innings. In fact he leads the AL in walks. His WHIP is actually slightly higher this year compared to last thus far (1.38 vs. 1.32)

Tim Lincecum went 7-5 with a 4.00 ERA (and 150 SO in just 146.3 innings) last season. Pretty good numbers.

But like Dice-K, this season he's turned it up to the next level. He's 11-2 with a 2.57 ERA. He's currently 2nd in the NL in ERA and 3rd in wins. He leads the NL with 135 SO. He's been selected for the NL all-star team.

At only 24 years of age, Lincecum looks like he could be one of the top pitchers in majors for some time to come. He almost makes up for the epic failure that was the Barry Zito signing.

Labels: Dice K, Tim Lincecum

Dice K got off to an awesome start to his MLB career today by throwing 10 strike outs in 7 innings and allowing just 1 run (a home run) and 6 hits (and 1 walk) as the Red Sox beat the Royals 4 to 1.

Red Sox fans have to be excited. (Forrest?)

If this start is not a fluke and in fact a good indication of Dice K's skills then the Red Sox may have one of the best rotations in baseball (and then if Rocket is comes back to Boston?..)

I got to say, people of the universe, I think the Red Sox are going to top the Yankees this year in the AL East.

Labels: Boston Red Sox, Dice K

The Boston Red Sox's $103 million Japanese import Daisuke Matsuzaka has a lot of big expectations on his shoulders as he enters the big leagues this year.

While he has had an impressive spring training to date he struggled yesterday allowing two home runs and having problems with his control.

Hideo Nomo started off his career fast with the Dodgers before fading. Nomo was 13-6 with a 2.54 ERA his first season but finished with a career 4.21 ERA. How will the latest Japanese pitching import do in his rookie season? Will he be another Hideki Irabu? Irabu busted into the big leagues in 1997 with a 7.09 ERA his rookie year.

What will 2007 bring for Dice K and the Red Sox? You can count me in as a believer. At least for his rookie year. We'll see if he has a Nomo like drop off in 2008 and beyond but for now enjoy the ride!

Check out this video of Dice K's infamous Gyroball:

Labels: Dice K, gyroball