Buchholz Starting Wednesday; Replacing Dice-K

[BoSox21]

RedSox.com

 

TORONTO -- It's hard to go from pitching a no-hitter to being the forgotten man, but Red Sox right-hander Clay Buchholz has been hard to find of late -- at least in the box score.

Ever since Buchholz followed up his no-no with three shutout innings in relief while earning the win at Baltimore on Sept. 6, he's been reduced to side work before select games and spectator status during them.

 

But that will change Wednesday when Buchholz makes a spot start in place of Daisuke Matsuzaka, who has been moved back to Saturday so the Red Sox can finagle their rotation so it lines up right down the stretch.

 

The third start of Buchholz's Major League career will come following 12 days of rest, though the Red Sox have kept him on a regular throwing program.

 

"It's been a little bit different being in the bullpen but I think going back to at least one more start would probably be better for me," said Buchholz. "I've tried to stay as close to that routine as I could being in the bullpen without getting to do all the stretching and running and stuff that I've been able to do before the games. I think going back to that will be a lot better."

 

The rest has been by design, as the Red Sox wanted to keep a ceiling on his innings for this season, as they do for all of their starting pitching prospects.

 

"It feels like I haven't pitched in a month," Buchholz said. "That hadn't happened for me all year or the last couple of years. But I think the rest is helpful."

 

Buchholz would certainly be a candidate to be a reliever on the postseason roster, but he might have to shake a little rust off first.

 

"It might take me a little bit longer to get ready as far as mechanics-wise," said Buchholz. "I think after I get back in tune, I'll be all right."

 

By re-aligning the rotation, the Red Sox now have Matsuzaka slotted behind Josh Beckett, who will pitch Friday night. Curt Schilling will pitch the final game of the road trip on Sunday afternoon at Tropicana Field.

[Mr Crunchy]

thank god we still have tampa left on the horizon

[ANiMAL]

His energy is what helped us to a great early September; thank God for Buchholz.

[mosox]

He hasn't pitched in 12 days. Chances are he'll struggle with the strike zone. Manny and the other hitters better show up for this one.

[Ray10]

I think it's a good idea to rest Matsuzaka but not right now when we are only 2.5 games ahead of New York I would have pitched Tavarez in this one, Bucholz has sat too long during the year to just be thrown in to pitch in this game. It's been what 12 days, and he's facing a team like the Jays all I hope is that he can hit the strikezone early and often or else these guys are going to eat him up. But I guess we'll see tonight.

[TheKilo]

I can't take anyone seriously who would rather have Tavarez start tonight over Buchholz.

[jacksonianmarch]

Buchholz will likely be a little rusty. Should be interesting as Litch has been torched of late.