Buchholz starts Wednesday
Clay Buchholz is going to start Wednesday's Red Sox game at Toronto, his first start since throwing his no-hitter Spet. 1.
The Red Sox announced Buchholz start after Monday's loss to the Blue Jays.
The move also gives Daisuke Matsuzaka some extra rest as the Red Sox plan for the playoffs. Matsuzaka will reportedly be put in the No. 2 starter's spot, behind Josh Beckett.
I thought Matsuzaka might have been put at No. 3, since Curt Schilling has pitched well lately, and Schilling seems to do better at home. But the Red Sox must have faith in the Dice-K.
Then again, who says the Red Sox will have home field advantage in the playoffs? Yes, they will still likely win the East Division ... but you never know.
After Monday's Yankees win, New York (86-64) has closed the lead to 3 1/2 games. The Red Sox (90-61) have a magic number of nine - meaning Boston clinches the division if they go 9-2 in their remaining 11 games, or a combination of Red Sox wins and New York losses.
Remember, if the teams finished tied in the division - and both are headed to the playoffs = then New York gets the home field advantage and Boston is the wild card team, because the Yankees won the season series, 10-8.
After Monday's games, Boston's magic number to clinch the playoffs is five. The Red Sox can go 5-6 in their last 11 games, or a combination of Boston wins and Detroit losses.
Posted at 04:22 AM
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This is as good a place to vent as any..
- As an organization, the Sox apparently do not care if they win the division. They've made the playoffs and are setting up for the postseason by resting pitchers and giving Manny a month off. Much as that might frustrate us Yankees-obsessed fans, there's not much we can do about it.
- Francona's desicion to leave Gagne in last night was indefensible. Even if he waited until Zaun to bring in Papelbon, there's a high likelihood the Sox win that game.
- If Gagne had only blown two of the four games he's lost, the lead would the 3.5 and the magic number would be 7.
- If the Yankees keep playing like this, they will win the division. In fact, they will probably win the World Series. And they should. Their record since the All-Star break reflects their $250 million payroll.
- They also have four games left with an absolutely dead Orioles team. That's four wins.
- If it's close at the end, remember the inequity in the interleague schedule. The Yankees played the Pirates three at home, while the Red Sox played three at San Diego. The Sox did well to win two, but the Yankees (rather obviously) swept a terrible Pittsburgh team. And the Yankees don't have to travel as much because they play the Mets. Interleague play is a blight.
- I'm comforted by this thought. I've been a fan since 1968 and, no matter what happens over the next ten games I know I'll be okay, because I've survived much worse.
Posted by
September 19, 2007 07:00 AM
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