John Lackey has always been a slow starter. This year, the slow start itself got off to a slow start.
Historically, April has been Lackey’s worst month. But in his first season with the Red Sox, it’s May that has proven his undoing.
In his past three starts, against Toronto, Detroit and Philadelphia, Lackey has allowed 15 runs on 23 hits — including four homers — in 18 innings, for a Josh Beckett-like ERA of 7.50.
And Lackey gets no break tonight against the Rays in his penultimate May outing. In his past two starts against Tampa Bay, including a miserable outing April 19, Lackey has allowed 20 hits and 18 runs (16 earned) in 8 1/3 innings.
Interestingly, the Patriots Day pounding was his only poor April start, skewing what was one of the best opening months of his career. Even with the eight earned runs in 31/3 innings against the Rays, Lackey’s April ERA was 4.50, down from his career split of 4.79. Take out the Rays game and Lackey had a 2.36 ERA in his other four starts. But in May, Lackey has a 5.76 ERA, nearly a run higher than his career April numbers. Lackey, who prides himself on control, already has 14 walks in 25 May innings.
“The consistency of command has not been, game to game, as I think he would expect, or everyone else,’’ pitching coach John Farrell said.
