john lackey
Top 30 free-agent predictions: Yankees, Red Sox make splashes
Ready or not, here come the Post’s Top 30 free-agent rankings and predictions. Baseball’s five-day quiet period after the World Series concludes at midnight Monday into Tuesday, at which point...
Joe Maddon left his best pitcher unused as Cubs were ruined
LOS ANGELES — Rome burned for the Cubs while Wade Davis withered in the bullpen. In a decision that could haunt Joe Maddon all winter, the Cubs manager on Sunday...
Dodgers' path to World Series goes through champion Cubs
LOS ANGELES — Here is all the Dodgers could have wanted after they lost the NL Championship Series to the Cubs last October: A return to the same hurdle, this...
The fantasy baseball players you should never trust again
Whether your team still is in contention for a title or not, most fantasy baseball owners are taking a closer look at their teams and evaluating players, not just for...
Cubs' biggest offseason focus as (mostly) contented champs
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – In the aftermath of the Cubs’ first championship in 108 years, Theo Epstein, the architect of the title team, joked he was “going on a bender” and...
How infamous Red Sox disaster oddly set up this World Series
CHICAGO — Who knew that fried chicken and beer would prove to be so healthy for those involved in professional athletics? The 2011 Red Sox will rightfully be recalled as...
No crazy heroics for Kyle Schwarber this time
CHICAGO — Kyle Schwarber waited patiently for his turn Friday night, but when it came, the most he could produce was a pop up. Inserted in the eighth inning as...
Don't expect these Cubs to quake about a 2-1 deficit
CHICAGO — It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before. Oh, sorry. I’m referring to the atmosphere Friday in and around Wrigley Field, which lived up to the hype for its...
Cubs outraged at being told they can't chew tobacco
Some members of the Cubs were spitting mad when informed of the city of Chicago's new ban on smokeless tobacco at sports venues -- even if they don't dip. Fiery veteran...
Did Mets just let the aggressive Cubs claw past them in NL?
The Mets and Cubs have been on similar paths for years. They went into rebuild mode under Sandy Alderson and Theo Epstein (Sandy Alderson 2.0), respectively. They were big-market teams...
Big spenders line up for MLB's largest arms race ever
BOCA RATON, Fla. — This projects as the offseason to address rotation shortcomings. There has arguably never been a deeper pool of free-agent starters, plus next year’s crop is essentially...
Predicting where MLB's top 30 free agents will land
It’s time for The Post’s annual Top 30 free-agent rankings and predictions. Why 30? Because there are 30 teams. The rankings are compiled via a mix of statistical analysis and...
Lackey outpitches Lester as Cardinals blank Cubs
ST. LOUIS — John Lackey lived up to his reputation as a pitcher who craves the ball in October, helping the Cardinals cool off the upstart Cubs. Lackey outpitched old...
One NLDS matchup is straight from Red Sox glory days
ST. LOUIS — John Lackey is the best bargain in baseball, and he gives the Cardinals a pitching backbone. Lackey, who is making $507,500 this season, will go against old...
Cardinals bucked all wisdom on trades — and it worked
ST. LOUIS — St. Louis broke one of the Cardinal rules of the majors. Actually, this organization already had done this in 2011 and won a World Series because of...
Red Sox trade Lackey to Cardinals for Kelly, Craig
The Red Sox didn’t stop with Jon Lester. Boston sent veteran starter John Lackey to the Cardinals for righty Joe Kelly and first baseman Allen Craig. The move gives St....
Red Sox fire sale will leave them loaded for next season
The Red Sox have accepted their fate. They are willing to have last-place finishes in 2012 and 2014 surround their championship in 2013 as long as they are well positioned...
John Lackey goes from chump to champ
BOSTON — Imagine Carl Pavano showing up in shape for Year 4 with the Yankees, 2008, and finishing it with the reputation as a bulldog, great teammate, fan favorite and...