Webster to pitch Saturday

Sean Riley
Contributing Writer

Boston's top pitching prospect, Allen Webster, will be recalled from Triple A Pawtucket to make a spot start on Saturday in place of the injured Clay Buchholz. Webster has made three starts for the Red Sox this season posting a 0-1 record with a horrendous 11.74 ERA. Two out of those three starts the youngster had a hard time finding the plate and as of late in the minors he's had the same issues. In four starts last month Webster walked 14 yes 14 batters and hit four other batters. At least his last two outings have been better only walking two and pitching six scoreless innings last weekend.

This start is a big shot at redemption for the hard throwing righty as he will look to right his wrongs he's had in the majors so far. Boston chose Webster over Rubby De La Rosa in this spot start showing their confidence in him an his improvements.

"He's worked deeper into games. He's been a little bit more efficient," manager John Farrell said. "The stuff has been very consistent, similar to what we've seen here in the two starts and than what he showed us in spring training. We're looking forward to seeing him here Saturday"

With Clay Buchholz possibly returning to the team on Tuesday this looks like it indeed will be nothing more than a spot start for Webster. However, this one start could be huge for the young gun in building his confidence in himself and giving the Sox some renewed faith in him. I'm a big Allen Webster supporter and even though he made me look foolish by praising him prior to his last start, I still believe he has big time stuff an will be a solid starter in this league. Saturday he will face the Detroit Tigers an their all star slugging lineup so he won't get any free passes there. Webster better be on his game or that 11.74 ERA he has in the majors this year could be climbing that ladder a bit higher.