Evan here, Tito couldn’t make it today…
Now that it’s September 1, help is coming to the Red Sox — big time. Dinged up by injuries and worn down by the season, the Red Sox may be the best team in baseball, but they certainly need some help to finish the season as such.
Starter Clay Buchholz gets the call again today, and will likely stay up in the majors. In his second career start, he’ll face the Baltimore Orioles and fellow rookie Garrett Olson. On Aug. 17, Buchholz held the Angels to three runs in six innings of work and should have an easier time (hopefully) this time out.
Joining him tomorrow will be lefty Jon Lester, who was optioned to Double-A Portland for one start in hopes he could firm up his command. If Lester has a subpar start tomorrow and Buchholz shines tonight, it’s possible Buchholz will remain in the rotation while Lester gets sent to the bullpen. This has certainly been a long (and triumphant) year for Lester, but in the end, he’s walking too many batters and not going deep enough in games. At some point, results need to be put up.
So, who else will join the duo of pitchers? There are a few for-sures and a few maybes.
For Sure:
- Jacoby Ellsbury, who has been on fire, to put it lightly, since returning from a small injury a few weeks back. Ellsbury’s callup comes at the perfect time with all starting outfielders (and both backups) hobbled by injuries. Ellsbury should be seeing a lot of playing time.
- Royce Clayton, signed to a minor league deal not so long ago, will be up to act as the second backup middle infielder. He’ll get some at bats, but not much; he’s strictly depth at this position to protect against injury
- Brandon Moss will also be called up. Again, all outfielders currently on staff are banged up and have missed time recently, so Moss should also be seeing a good amount of time in the outfield as we work to get players healthy for the postseason.