Buchholz dealing with injury issues, still expected to start

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Conor Frederick (@ConorJF1016)
Contributing Writer


Clay Buchholz has been dealing with injury issues recently, but the Red Sox organization still expects him to be ready to go for either game 3 or 4 according to WEEI. The starters for game 3 and 4 have yet to be announced, but no cause for concern according to the team, WEEI reports. According to WEEI, Felix Doubront pitched a simulated game at the end of the Red Sox workout yesterday, which caused red flags to go up, but there is no reason to expect Buchholz will miss his next start in game 3 or 4.

I've wondered since Buchholz came back if he was 100%, and it is apparent that he isn't back to the same guy that began this season so strongly. Especially not in the postseason. His postseason numbers are not great - 16 2/3 innings and 10 runs while striking out 15 and walking 5 according to WEEI. Last outing, he was charged with 2 runs in 5+ and throwing 85 pitches, so I don't think he has ever been at 100% in the postseason, as I said. Does that mean I think Doubront should be starting over Clay? Short answer is no. Long answer is that Doubront has barely pitched in the playoffs and I wonder if he will be off if he is all of a sudden asked to start a World Series game. It also has to do with nerves - I don't think he'll be ready to be thrown into a World Series as a starter with a short time to prepare both mentally and physically.

Verdict: Buchholz gets the nod in game 3, while Jake Peavy gets the nod in game 4 with Doubront ready to go out of the bullpen.


Thoughts? Hit me up on Twitter (@ConorJF1016) or leave a comment.