The second game of the Japan series is about to get underway with Jon Lester facing Rich Harden. In a way it's the come back game. Lester made his return from cancer in 2007 to help the Red Sox win the World Series. Harden tries to come back from a series of injuries. You almost worry that the Athletics rushed him back a bit. He might have been better off staying in Arizona rather than making this arduous trip.

Harden represents one of two major comebacks going on this year in the AL. The league lost two of their best in Santana and Haren over the winter. A return to form by Liriano and Harden could go a long way toward filling in that gap.

Harden starts strong by striking out Pedroia to start the game.

Update: Harden pitches carefully to his nemesis, David Ortiz, and walks him. Rich is hitting 95 MPH on the gun, and strikes out Manny to end the inning.