No. 8: John Lackey, SP
Photograph By Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports
The last time Lackey had this much extended rest before a start, his fastball was timed at 96 mph against the Yankees. He hasn't had the same velocity that he had in mid-summer; few pitchers do, especially those, like Lackey, coming off Tommy John surgery. This has been a season of vindication, needing only a championship coda. -- Edes
