August 09, 2007
The Red Sox pipeline from Portland
Interesting Red Sox boxscore from Wednesday night (well into Thursday morning). There was second baseman Dustin Pedroia (3-for-5), first baseman Kevin Youkilis (1-3), right fielder Brandon Moss (getting his first Major League hit), starting pitcher Jon Lester and closer Jonathan Papelbon (26th save).
All former Sea Dogs.
Now, we ask, what to do about Lester?
Command continues to be an issue and he struggled again Wednesday (3 1/3, 8 hits, 3 walks, 5 earned runs). The Red Sox will likely give him a few more starts to work things out, but there will have to be improvement or he will tax the bullpen too much.
Lester has a future with the Sox, but this is still a developmental year for him. He may or may not find his groove this year.
If Lester cannot get it together this season, here is one possible solution: Clay Buchholz. In his past two Pawtucket starts, Buchholz seems to have settled down (13 1/3 innings, 9 hits, 0 walks, 3 earned runs, 18 strikeouts).
Boston may get a look at Buchholz next week. He is on schedule to pitch Aug. 17, the day Boston has a day/night home doubleheader with the Angels.
Posted at 08:17 AM
E-mail this entry to a friend
There's only one problem with your projection for Buchholz making his Fenway debut Friday:
With Thursday an offday, BECKETT and SCHILLING are set to go for that day-night doubleheader.
Or did you not notice when Tito announced that Schilling and Beckett were going to switch days, to line up for that pair of games????
With the Yankees closing in, I'd like to see Lester on a short leash and see Buchholz make his long-awaited debut, but just a tiny bit of thought on your part would have told you that it ain't happening on August 17th.
Posted by
DanAugust 9, 2007 02:32 PM
Good point, Dan. Someone in the Hadlock pressbox also pointed that out to me.
If Schilling and Beckett both go on Aug. 17, then an extra starter will be needed the following week. Maybe Buchholz at Tampa Bay?
Posted by
Kevin ThomasAugust 9, 2007 02:41 PM
I'd like to see the Sox rearrange the pitching rotation so Wakefield doesn't follow Schilling. This is far too much liability for the team with the Yankees closing in. Actually, any rumors yet concerning ridding the team of theses two at season's end?
Posted by
RhondaAugust 9, 2007 02:49 PM
I think Schilling is gone. Ask the Yankees about keeping high-priced veteran pitchers past their prime.
Schilling may be a blessing this post-season, but he turns 41 in November and durability is definitely a question.
Wakefield, also 41, is another story. While he has had some bad outings, he does have 13 wins. He eats innings and is affordable ($4-million).
Posted by
Kevin ThomasAugust 9, 2007 03:09 PM
What ever happened to David Pauley? He could be a decent replacement if Lester can't settle in to his groove, given Pauley's (limited) Major League experience. You hate to see them rush a guy like Buchholz into the rotation too quickly and expose him to a tight pennant race like this. If Schilling doesn't come back with the Sox next year, that could be the time for Buchholz to ease into the rotation and put a few spring training starts under his belt.
Posted by
TaylorAugust 9, 2007 11:45 PM
Post a comment
Blog Index
Subscribe
