| 13 July 2009
From The Boston Herald:
Manager Terry Francona announced something Red Sox fans have been clamoring for following yesterday's 6-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals at Fenway Park.
Right-hander Clay Buchholz will make his 2009 debut Friday when the Red Sox visit Toronto following the All-Star break.
According to Francona, the Sox' intentions are twofold. The club wants to see Buchholz against a strong divisional foe, while giving All-Stars Josh Beckett and Tim Wakefield an extended rest going into the second half of the season.
Buchholz, Brad Penny and Jon Lester will start in Toronto and John Smoltz, Beckett and Wakefield will get the ball at Texas.
"What we are going to do coming out of the break is Buchholz is going to pitch on Friday," Francona said. "Some of the reason behind that is, with two starters in the All-Star Game, there was going to be a lot - not indecision - but a lot of not sure what (is) going to happen.
"So we wanted to line everybody (up) and not have to tell Smoltz 'watch the All-Star (Game) and, if Wake pitches, you throw a side' after the game. It just didn't make a lot of sense."
Buchholz is enjoying a phenomenal season at Triple-A Pawtucket, where he is 7-2 with a 2.36 ERA.The 24-year-old, who has 89 strikeouts and 30 walks in 99 innings, was selected to represent the International League Wednesday's Triple-A All-Star Game against the elite of the Pacific League at PGE Park in Portland, Ore.
Bottom Line: There's a very good chance that Buchholz will be sent right back down to Pawtucket after his start, regardless of how well he pitches, but this will be an exciting game to watch. The pressure will be intense, but at least Buchhy can feel good knowing that Halladay (also and All Star) won't be his opponent. A nice match-up would be Buchholz vs fellow phenom Ricky Romero... but we'll have to wait a few days for the Jays to pick their starters.
Not much of a Weekend Update, but I wanted to get this story posted... more to come later.
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