The injury to key pitchers Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling and the form that Lester showed in the recently concluded match against the Mets is a good sign for Lester as he will probably make it to the starting line up for the Red Sox team on their opening day. Lester said that he does not look at it as a different role, and if it is there to be taken he will try to make best use of this opportunity to show that he is right there among the greats. The first game for the Red Sox is on March 25 against the A’s and Schilling who is nursing a tendon tear and Beckett who is suffering from back spasms in his lower back will not be ready by then.

The other pitcher Matsuzaka’s wife is due to deliver their baby on March 19 and hence in all probability and by default Jon Lester will be ace pitcher for the Red Sox against the A’s. Lester who played in his third start against the Mets in the grapefruit league impressed one and all in that game with his pitching and he hopes to carry on with this form in the next matches as well.