Clay Buchholz has become the Red Sox best starter
The Boston Red Sox knew they had something special in Clay Buchholz since his no-hitter in just his second major league start in 2007. That unforgettable performance was a sign of things to come as Buchholz has worked his way up to a full-time starter in the big leagues. He is not only a bona-fide starter, but he has taken the title as the Red Sox best starting pitcher.
Buchholz may even be considered for the AL Cy Young award if he continues his dominant play. He has the best record among the Sox starters at 15-5 and he leads the American League with a 2.26 ERA. It’s safe to say Buchholz has arrived after he even doubted himself at times. He was battling for a roster spot in Spring Training, but now he has surpassed the veteran starters. He has outperformed Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, John Lackey and Daisuke Matzuzaka.
After his magical no-hitter, he spent part of the 2008 and 2009 seasons in the minors, waiting for his major league duties to become full-time. Buchholz remains humble in his rise to the top and doesn’t consider himself an elite pitcher just yet, even though the stats would suggest otherwise. He has a chance at 20 wins in his first full season and this was with a month and a half on the disabled list. Only C.C Sabathia has more wins than Buchholz in the American League.
“I don't even have a full season in the big leagues. I just have to go out there and try to get better every fifth day," said Buchholz. The numbers are good, but I've had a lot of good luck over the course of the year," he said. "There have been balls hit right at people, the defense has been there for me, and the guys in the dugout have been swinging the bats well when I go out there. It's satisfying, but things could be the complete opposite."
The 26-year-old’s future in Boston has gotten brighter and brighter and that future has now become the present. Buchholz struggled in 2008, going 2-9 with a 6.75 ERA and was sent back down to the minors to hone his skills. He improved last year, going 7-4 with a 4.21 ERA but was still sent back to Pawtucket. Now, he’s in no danger of going back and his dominance has surpassed that of Lester, Beckett and Lackey who have been inconsistent this season.
Buchholz is in elite company in the race to the Cy Young award with Sabathia, David Price, Cliff Lee and Felix Hernandez. Buchholz is now the Sox most reliable pitcher and will be crucial to their playoff race in the last month of the season. With the Red Sox battling injuries, their pitching may be their best hope at nabbing a playoff spot whether as a division winner or a wild card. Buchholz should lead the way as he’s earned what he’s gotten and deserves to be the first ace in their rotation. Buchholz has constantly shown improvement and has learned from rookie mistakes.
"He has gained experience, gotten a little older, the normal course of growing up," Manager Terry Francona said. "The numbers … the season's not over. But he's becoming one of the pitchers you can count on, which is very exciting for us."
His no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles in 2007 has proven to be a good omen for what his career will be like. Winning the Cy Young award would stamp him among the league’s best and what would help him most is a chance to start a playoff game. If he gets a shot in the playoffs then that’s when he can truly take notice from the league and build himself higher and higher.
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