Could Clay Buchholz be the 5th starter?
Posted on March 26, 2009
Filed Under 2009 Season | Leave a Comment
There is a lot of talk about who will be the 5th starter next season. Justin Masterson is currently going through his spring training regiment with the mindset of a starting pitcher, John Smoltz is on track to return in a few months, and Brad Penny had an outstanding outing the other day. Who am I missing?
Oh yeah, Clay Buchholz. Buchholz was Boston’s brightest star after pitching a no-hitter in his second major league start but he quickly fizzled out after having a rough 2008 (6.75 ERA with 41 walks in 76 innings.) He spent the majority of the year with Pawtucket, trying to regain his control and strengthen himself mentally so that he doesn’t get too shaken with men on base or when someone makes solid contact against him.
It looks like he’s made some progress as his numbers during spring training are unbelievable..
Innings Pitched: 19 2/3
Earned Runs Allowed: 1
ERA: 0.46
Hits: 12
Walks: 3
Strikeouts: 15
It’s most likely that the Sox start 2009 with Brad Penny as the 5th starter and Justin Masterson in the bullpen; however, Clay Buchholz is definitely looking like a good option should Penny and Smoltz not get the job done.
PS: I attribute Buchholz’s success to the fact that he’s not dating that skanky Penthouse Pet anymore and is now rich enough so that he no longer has to steal laptops. ;X
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