The hype over Clay Buchholz has been building all season, from his gaudy Double-A stats at Portland, to his showdown against Roger Clemens (during Clemens' rehab with Trenton), to his promotion to Pawtucket.

Today, Boston fans gets a look.

But it should be just a peak. Buchholz will be sent down after his start, with Jacoby Ellsbury replacing him for Game 2 of today's doubleheader (Ellsbury's stay will reportedly be short, with Bobby Kielty replacing him soon.

But what if Buchholz pitches lights out? Maybe there will be a bullpen role later (ala Papelbon in 2005).

But unlike Papelbon, Buchholz's future is definitely in the rotation.

Here is what to look for today: Fastball command. The Red Sox brass have been pounding those two words into Buchholz's head all year. "You got great stuff, but you have to locate your fastball."

When Buchholz made a major league spring training start against the Devil Rays, he was dominant when he threw the first pitch for a strike, and was pounded when he did not.

Look at his Pawtucket stats. When Buchholz is behind in the count, his ERA is 10.90, with three homers allowed. When he is ahead inthe count: 2.30 ERA with no homers.

Buchholz can give up homers (which may be good that he is facing the small-ball Angels). But when he stays ahead in the count, he can then work his off-speed magic.

It will be fun to watch him today. I'll check in later from Fenway.

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