Here it is, and it's ugly:
John Lackey has had five starts where he has allowed six or more earned runs this season, two where he's allowed nine. That is in 13 starts. The rest of the staff, in the other 71 starts, has a combined four.
He has the highest ERA of any pitcher throwing more than 60 innings, and that is 7.47, a full run more than the next worst starter (Fausto Carmona). His home ERA is an incredible 9.17.
So what to do? With Clay Buchholz slow to return from his back problems, it appears that the Red Sox will try to ride out Lackey's problems. The DL and the bullpen are also possibilities, but both seem remote right now.
Pete Abraham of the Globe suggests a trade of Lackey to the Giants for Barry Zito, as they both have similar bad contracts with 3 1/2 years left and almost the same money. Zito is one year older than Lackey. I would do it in a heartbeat, but I don't know what would motivate the Giants to do it, as Zito has been hurt a good part of the year and hasn't pitched badly in the five starts he's made.