ROUNDTABLE: Who’s our playoff No. 4 pitcher?

Once a week, you’ll hear from numerous Red Sox bloggers on the Internet on a Red Sox related issue, and we’ll aggregate the answers here. Answers are placed in the order they were received. Thanks to everyone for participating!

Assuming Beckett, Lester & Matsuzaka have the top three spots in the post-season rotation, who should be #4?

“If Wakefield is in the bullpen, we may have to experience tons of passed balls with Jason Varitek as we did in 2004. I can do without these heart palpitations, thanks. I would expect Byrd to get the start in the short series because it will be just one game and Byrd seems the choice, but for the seven game series, if we advance that far, you might have to tab Wakefield. — Evan Brunell, Fire Brand of the American League

“Neither Uncle Paul Byrd nor Tim Wakefield have had a great September, so this isn’t the easiest call in the world. The vote here is for Byrd, but Tito needs to have a quick hook and consider using Wakefield as a long man during the series, especially if there’s a blowout.” Dan Lamothe, Red Sox Monster

“Given that the Angels put up a .296/.318/.488 line against Byrd against a .294/.342/.548 for Wake in similar sample sizes (203 ABs to 221 ABs), I think you have to lean towards the new guy. Throw in the fact that Byrd’s gone at least 5 IP in every start this month, while Wake’s had one of 1.2 IP and another of 2.1, and I’m sold. That said, we could be creative and use both. Assuming they’re both on the roster, one may well end up relieving the other - particularly if things get out of hand early.” — Stephen O’Grady, wicked clevah (more…)