- Publish date:
Just Say Clay
The Red Sox' Josh Beckett and Jon Lester match up with any team's top two starters. Since midseason, however, the rest of Boston's rotation has been in flux. Daisuke Matsuzaka went on the DL in June with an ERA above 8.00. Tim Wakefield made the All-Star team, then got hurt too. Brad Penny and John Smoltz were released in August. Now, though, the Sox may have found a quality No. 3. Clay Buchholz (below) has come on strong since his July recall, with a 3.66 ERA in 12 starts and the best ground ball rate of his career. His command is improving as well: He's had 32 K's with just 14 walks in his last seven games, six of them quality starts. Buchholz is the final answer to the question: Who starts Game 3 of the Division Series?
PHOTO
WINSLOW TOWNSON/AP (BUCHHOLZ)
