Suddenly, Daniel Bard's 'unlucky' 7.11 ERA doesn't look so bad. The supposed new fourth starter, Alfredo Aceves, gave up nine earned runs in just three innings pitched. This consummate stinker allowed Aceves to pass Bard's mark—now sporting a 7.50 spring ERA. Amazingly, the guy who was once a longshot for the rotation, lefty Felix Doubront, continued his good run in the second game today. He pitched six strong innings—yielding just five hits and a single earned run aganst the Multi-Colored Marlins. Doubee's spring ERA is now a stellar 2.70.
We could be heading into Detroit in 11 days with a rotation of Lester, Beckett, Buchholz and Doubront—with a fifth starter not needed for a while. This is anything but a settled ballclub—in any way whatsoever.