If the Boston Red Sox are to make the playoffs this year, they will need three solid starters in the Division Series. Obviously there are no questions about what Josh Beckett and Jon Lester bring to the table. But after that, there are many questions of who could help the Red Sox in their quest for another World Series title.
Could Clay Buchholz be that guy? After last night’s performance on the mound, that answer could be yes, especially if he continues to pitch like that for the rest of the season.
Buchholz has had some unforunate bad luck his past two starts as he was up against the other teams’ ace. Last night in Toronto was no different as he squared off with Roy Halladay. But unlike in his two previous starts where he got exactly no run support, the Red Sox bats were able to score some runs (6) off of Halladay) and get him the win.
It was an important win for not only Buchholz but for the Red Sox as well. The Minnesota Twins, in a playoff race of their own in the AL Central, came back for the second straight night to beat the Texas Rangers 5-4. The win by the Red Sox and loss by the Rangers puts the Red Sox back on top in the wild card standings. The Oakland A’s weren’t so helpful though as they lost to the New York Yankees and that win by the rivals to the south keeps the Red Sox seven games back in the AL East.
The Red Sox will have a chance to put a dent in that this weekend but first they need to finish off the Blue Jays tonight with Jon Lester on the bump.
Before we head into the links, our friend Dan over at Red Sox Monster recently got married to his college sweetheart. Well you really need to see the surprise that he pulled off at the wedding reception for his bride.
Clay pigeons [Boston Globe]
Surge by Ortiz has given the offense some pop [Boston Globe]
Spirits never flag during a pennant race [Boston Globe]
Remy gets the call for tomorrow [Boston Globe]
Big Papi has his power stroke working [RedSox.com]
Smoltz offers some parting thoughts about his troubled time in Boston [Hacks with Haggs]
Buchholz outduels Halladay [Providence Journal]
Ortiz collects his 800th RBI as a Red Sox [Providence Journal]
Youkilis miffed after taking another hit [Providence Journal]
Encouraged by four-inning outing, Byrd thinks he can help Boston [Providence Journal]
Red Sox journal: Remy will return for Friday’s game vs. Yanks [Providence Journal]
Five Things We Learned: A Year Later, Buchholz Is a Different Pitcher [Alex Speier – WEEI.com]
Dear Major League Baseball [Hit and Run with Dan Roche]
Clay Buchholz spins beauty [Boston Herald]
Papi finds comfort zone [Boston Herald]
Jacoby Ellsbury: Man of Steal [Boston Herald]
Jerry Remy returns tomorrow [Boston Herald]
Red Sox need Tim Wakefield [Boston Herald]
For more slices of Boston Red Sox goodness, head over to the Boston Globe, Boston Herald, and Providence Journal websites.
And if the enemy papers are more your flavor, you can head over to the Toronto Star and Toronto Sun websites.
