Paul Byrd now holds the title of latest savior of the Red Sox rotation – or latest in the revolving door of fifth starter candidates, depending on whether your coffee mug is half full or half empty today.
Proud holder of a fourteen-year career touring eight cities since 1995, the 38 year-old author… yes, author… certainly knows how to throw a baseball.
But for a pitcher his age, with all the mileage and wear on his shoulder and elbow, the question must be asked: How much does The Byrd have left in the tank? In one word: Enough.
As his deriders often point out, the righty’s repertoire doesn’t feature much giddy-up. His heat sits at 85-86 mph with average tail and rising action. The veteran supplements the lukewarm fastball with a slider-curve-change mix, having been known to mix in a splitter and cutter from time to time.
But don’t worry about “diminishing stuff” derailing Byrd’s most recent stay in Boston. In his Sunday start, the fastball sat at 86-87 mph, right where its been since his 2002 season with the Royals (strangely another time Byrd was linked to the Sox). The “stuff” is still there. ‘Nuff said.
He’s averaged 4.92 K/9 and 2.12 BB/9 over his career and that walk number hasn’t crept over 2 per nine since 2001. Obviously, he’s stingy with the free passes.
As for 2009, that Sunday start wasn’t his best. Three walks certainly aren’t the norm for Byrd, as his main (or some would say, only) virtue is his ability to prevent walks. And according to Fangraphs.com, he didn’t miss a single bat in any of his 83 pitches versus Toronto.
But the Sox didn’t sign him for the K’s and the bottom line is he got the job done. A win is a win and a shutout is a shutout, especially against the Doc.
Things will be better in his next few starts. Byrd was good in Pawtucket (3.27 ERA) during his dress rehearsal for the big time. He threw 11 innings over 2 starts, walking just one while striking out seven. The command and strikeouts bode very well for the veteran’s transition back to the MLB.
From here on out, expect Byrd to deliver on the level of an acceptable number five starter, with around a 5.00 ERA and 5-6 IP per start. He should be dependable for the most part, but watch out when his fastball command is off.
While he we’ll be neither great nor sexy, he gives the Sox a viable fifth starter and more insurance against injury, dead arm, late season meltdowns, and any other maladies that can afflict this pitching staff.
Chalk up the August 5 Paul Byrd signing as a YES on the Theo-Meter. A zero-risk, low reward starting pitcher? That’s always a good transaction. Contingency planning is among the least exciting tasks in baseball, but it always pays off. Think about it, without Paul Byrd, Nick Green could be toeing the rubber every fifth-day. Or maybe he should. He does throw 88.
– Brad Penny is set to start on Wednesday against the Phillies for the San Francisco Giants, reports the Giants’ official website. AT&T Park and the NL West should help him put his Boston woes in the past. An ERA in the low 4’s is certainly a possiblity.
Who would have thought? San Francisco has inexplicably turned itself from league laughingstock into the envy of former bottom-feeders everywhere. Even Barry Zito is contributing. It is getting colder outside, though. Hell must be freezing over.
-The Tampa Bay Rays traded lefty Scott Kazmir to the Anaheim Angels of California on Friday, reports the Angels’ official website. Kaz is scheduled to make his first start for the Halos on Wednesday when they face the Mariners.
On the day of the trade, the Rays stood 4.5 games behind the Sox. It is interesting that the Rays would have traded their ace just before the upcoming series with Boston.
The playoff roster deadline may have forced the Rays’ hand. This looks strangely like a premature white flag.
The move is good for Boston for both 2009 and beyond, especially considering Kazmir is still just 25.
-Starter Tim Wakefield received a cortisone shot on Monday and is scheduled to miss his scheduled Wednesday start. This most recent blow to the Red Sox pitching staff is especially damaging. The team can ill afford another DL stint from its longtime rotation stalwart and elder statesman.
-Rehabbing Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka was torched in a Sunday start for AA Portland, reports ESPN. The hurler allowed five runs in two innings.
Though the results were poor, health is the main concern for early rehab starts, and Dice reported “no physical problems”. No pain, no results: consider it a push. The Sox need bodies right now, so don’t let the rough start ruin your week.
-With August in the books, Boston has a comfortable 4 game lead over Texas in the Wild Card, while standing 5 games above division rival Tampa Bay.
As fellow Firebrand writer Tim Daloisio points out, the upcoming series against Tampa is a great chance for Boston to step on the Rays’ throats and drop them completely out of the race. Should the Red Sox win this week’s series, only a Mets-esque collapse could save the Rays.
This Week’s Laundry List (in no particular order):
1) Crack some brews and watch the Sox on NESN
2) Try to stomach Pocket Money
3) Pull for a quick Wakefield return
4) Get two straight quality starts from Buchholz
5) Stomp out the Rays
Not a bad list. Easy shopping. Let’s hope the last one’s not too pricey.
As always, have a great week and bring on the love in the comments section. I’ll see you all Thursday.