Clay Buchholz - Fantasy News & Updates
Clay Buchholz - Fantasy News & Updates
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After a disappointing 2008 -- during which he went 2-9 with a 6.75 ERA -- Buchholz showed this season why the Red Sox refused to give up on him. He was actually better than his numbers would indicate, as he enjoyed a late-summer stretch during which he went 6-0 with a 1.05 ERA over eight starts. Not coincidentally, that dominant run coincided with the Red Sox separating themselves in the Wild Card race. With a strong start in Game 3 of the ALDS behind him, the 25-year-old righty proved he’s ready for the big stage, another indicator that he’s primed to ascend to fantasy-stud status next year.
He couldn't have ended the season under worse circumstances, having allowed 13 earned runs in eight innings over his last two starts. Even though he kept his command in check by issuing just three walks, he showed a disturbing susceptibility to the long ball by serving up six homers. Buchholz finishes the year with seven wins, a 4.21 ERA, a 1.38 WHIP and 68 strikeouts in 92 innings for a 6.7 K/9 rate. While his talent can't be disputed, his inconsistency should lead owners to look elsewhere for young arms in next year's draft.
Just a miserable night on the mound for Buchholz, who served up gopher balls to two of the first three batters of the game and never recovered, as he allowed more than three long balls for the first time in 33 career starts. What was most peculiar -- in addition to the fact that he entered Tuesday’s tilt with a 4-0 mark and 1.38 ERA in September -- was that he was 3-0 with a 1.35 ERA in three prior starts vs. Toronto this season. With the playoffs just around the corner, the young righty will look to right the ship when he takes a 62/34 K/BB ratio into his final start on Oct. 4 vs. the Indians.
Perhaps no Boston player looks more ready for the postseason than Buchholz, who turned in another in what is becoming a consistent line of masterful outings. The wiry right-hander turned in his sixth consecutive quality start, and ninth over his past 10 outings, chopping his ERA down to 3.21. It will be interesting to see whether he can ride that momentum against Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay next time out.
After losing three straight decisions, Buchholz has won his last six while slashing his ERA from 4.45 to 3.49. With five straight quality starts under his belt, the 25-year-old right has left little doubt that he belongs in the Red Sox rotation. The next step is cutting down on the walks, but given the improvement he's shown since the start of the season, command should come with time. His next outing comes against the lowly Royals.
Buchholz looked every bit the ace that many observes believe he can be in winning his fifth straight decision Sunday vs. a tough Tampa squad. The 25-year-old is 5-2 with a 2.77 ERA in eight outings since Aug. 8, posting seven quality starts over that span. He has surrendered three runs or fewer in 10 of 11 appearances this season and has started to turn around his mediocre K/BB ratio by fanning 13 batters against five walks over his last three starts. Buchholz will look to keep things rolling when he next hurls on Sept. 18 at Camden Yards vs. the Orioles.
Buchholz has settled into quite a groove over the past month, going 4-2 with a 3.00 ERA and six quality starts in seven outings since Aug. 8. He's yielded three earned runs or fewer in nine of his 11 appearances this season, dropping his ERA to 3.92. With the wind at his back, Buchholz faces the tough task of defeating David Price and the Rays next time out. Then again, the 24-year-old won his last outing against the Rays in Tampa Bay on Sept. 3, and he remains capable of doing so again.
Buchholz has given up an earned run in three of his last four outings, although his hiccups, like the seven-earned run outing on Aug. 24, are pretty frightening. If he can stick to his formula from Saturday, in which he didn't permit a homer and induced nine groundouts, his electric stuff will make him an elite starter. Give him a go on Sept. 4 when he toes the rubber vs. the White Sox in Chicago.
Early support from the Red Sox offense gave Buchholz everything he needed to take care of business. It was the third straight quality start for the 25-year-old righty, who is quietly emerging as the No. 3 pitcher in the Red Sox rotation while Tim Wakefield and Daisuke Matsuzaka are sidelined. Buchholz will look to improve upon his already-solid 3.99 ERA next time out, when he faces Jose Contreras and the White Sox.
Buchholz certainly pitched well enough to win Thursday and likely would have if the Red Sox offense hadn’t run into a dominant Justin Verlander. The 24-year-old has quality starts in two of his three turns and his potential and pedigree make him worth a roster spot in most mixed leagues. He’ll toe the rubber again Aug. 19 in Toronto against rookie sensation Ricky Romero and the Blue Jays.
There were several positive aspects of Buchholz's start despite the loss. It was the first time he lasted six-plus innings, which enabled him to attain his first quality start. And while he did walk five, Buchholz didn't allow a big fly in a very homer-friendly environment. Give him a spot start on Aug. 13 at home vs. a Tigers lineup which is prone to slumps.
A huge step back for Buchholz, who turned in a trio of fine, albeit short, outings to start his 2009 season in the bigs. The young hurler had an awfully tough time throwing strikes in his latest start (31 of his 76 pitches fell out of the zone) and gave up a pair of long balls on the day, one more than he allowed over his first 15 1/3 innings this year. Despite exiting the game with a lead, Buchholz didn't figure in the decision since he didn't pitch the minimum number of innings required to qualify for a win. It won't get any easier for the talented right-hander, who is next slated to start against the Yankees on August 8.
A source told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark that the Red Sox would attempt to move newly acquired Adam LaRoche to make room for Martinez in their lineup. In Boston, Martinez would likely split time between first base and catcher, no doubt cutting into playing time of Jason Varitek while adding another run producer to an already seasoned lineup.
Toronto is still engaged in trade discussions with Boston, which may be willing to offer pitcher Clay Buchholz and prospects in order to acquire Halladay. The Blue Jays are reluctant to deal Halladay -- 11-3 with a 2.62 ERA, entering Wednesday's outing -- within the American League East, though. Toronto has also been linked to the Angels, Dodgers, Yankees and Rangers. The bottom line is that the Blue Jays do not feel an urgency to move Halladay, who is under contract for $14.25 million this season and $15.75 million in 2010.
Another solid yet unspectacular outing by Buchholz, who has given up six earned runs in three starts and 15 1/3 innings thus far, good for a 3.52 ERA. The fact that he's issued seven walks over that span shows Buchholz has room to grow when it comes to command. Still, his next outing comes against the last-place Orioles, a favorable matchup for the promising righty.
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