The Boston Globe’s Amalie Benjamin is reporting that Josh Beckett and Curt Schilling will not be making the August 17th doubleheader starts as planned. Apparently, the Sox are viewing this as an opportunity to get Curt Schilling an extra day of rest.
This means that the Red Sox will need another starter for the doubleheader, and it cannot be any other starter (unless you start them on short rest) … and the Red Sox are eyeing Clay Buchholz as one of those starters.
Buchholz, 23, is starting today in Syracuse, which lines him up perfectly for the start. The much-heralded Texan started 2007 in Double-A Portland, where he had a 1.77 ERA in 15 games and one relief appearance, tabulating 86.2 IP, 22 walks and 116 strikeouts. In Triple-A, he has pitched to a line of 0-1, 3.20 ERA in five starts, walking six and K’ing 39 in 25.1 IP.
If Buchholz shines and Lester falls flat again Tuesday when he opposes Scott Kazmir of Tampa Bay, Buchholz may remain in the rotation while Lester is sent to Triple-A.
The Red Sox have seen a number of prospects get the call to the majors this year: Manny Delcarmen (technically not a prospect), Brandon Moss, Jacoby Ellsbury, Kason Gabbard, Jon Lester and now (apparently) Buchholz. Exciting times, indeed.