Clay Is Needed To Mold A Championship
The Red Sox have built a core of character players that have turned around a negative culture that marked the previous 2 seasons,. They have a rock solid farm system with high ranking prospects, several of which are on the cusp of making the jump to the bigs. The Sox have methodically forged one of the best records in the American League, catapulted by their resilient, “never-say-die” attitude. They are poised to be an elite team for many years to come. But they are lacking one major piece to complete their transformation from “Laughing stock” to serious World Series contender as we reach the stretch run to the 2013 season. That piece is Clay Buchholz!
Seen Here Throwing The Patented “Philly Floater”
Buchholz sprang onto the scene in 2007 as a late season call up by pitching a no-hitter against Baltimore in just his second Major League appearance.
Yeah, Well Jim Abbot Threw a NO-NO with Yankees and One Hand
The bar was set high and after a rocky 2nd season (2-9), Clay has a record of 50-22! The first 2 months of the season, Buchholz looked like the ace he was projected to be, marching out to a 9-0 record with a 1.71 ERA and a 1.020 WHIP! He was the early front-runner for the AL Cy Young Award and the Sox rode his early success, sprinting out to the head of the pack in the AL East. But all of that changed suddenly when Buchholz felt a twinge in his neck and pitching shoulder after a June 8th start, the last appearance he’s made this season.
Finally, after several setback, MRI’s, and finally assurances from Specialist, James Andrews that his neck and shoulder were structurally sound, Buchholz has taken several large steps towards returning to the rotation, though no timetable has been set. He may throw another bullpen this weekend and if all goes well, a simulated game against live batters before making a rehab start or two in the minors. And that may come in the nick of time for the Red Sox who are in a heated battle with the Rays whom they are in a dead heat with in the loss column (51).
If the Red Sox are going to make a legitimate run at a World Series Championship in 2013, they will need Buchholz. And they will indeed be legitimate front-runners if they get that same Clay Buchholz from the first 8 weeks of the season down the stretch and through the playoffs! That Clay Buchholz was an ace that would match up well with any of the playoff bound aces in the American League. A healthy Buchholz would not only make a huge impact on the rotation, his presence down the stretch would also bolster the bullpen. (Huh?) One of the current starters would slide into the bullpen and provide a strong, much needed arm to a bullpen that has lost 2 closers and a set up man for the season. Despite that, they have pitched well, particularly Koji Uehara who has been nearly flawless since being thrust into the closer role.
If things go well, I can see Buchholz returning to the Sox rotation in early September. That would Buchholz a full month to build up his stamina and work off any rust, while also giving the Sox a full month to set the bullpen up to their liking. The Red Sox have pitched respectably and relied heavily on their offense so far this season, but the playoffs are a different beast altogether where pitching sets the tone and usually separates the contenders from the pretenders. The BoSox will need Buchholz to set the tone, to be an ace, to be their stopper. The “Buchholz factor” may dictate how far the 2013 Red Sox go in the playoffs. If he doesn’t return at all this season or doesn’t return to his early season form, the Red Sox will need to get extraordinary performances from unexpected sources to make a deep run in the playoffs. But if Clay can come back in early September and quickly get back to his early season form, the Red Sox will dramatically increase their playoff chances and will instantly become formidable World Series contenders, if not one of the odds-on favorites.
This team has the character and talent to make a deep run in this year’s playoffs, but the Red Sox may ultimately only go as far as Clay Buchholz takes them. The Sox need Clay to come back soon and to come back strong! The next 10 days will be crucial for both Buchholz’ potential return and for the Red Sox hopes of finishing first in the division. If they can continue to persevere and maintain the top spot in the AL East while Buchholz works towards his return, what a shot in the arm that will be for the BoSox down the stretch! The Sox have flirted with the best record in the AL all season as well as in all of MLB, so adding a legitimate ace for the stretch run would only further bolster the confidence of a highly resilient team that already believes in itself. The next 10 days . . .
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