by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/18/2013) Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz failed to become the second pitcher in the majors with seven wins as he turned in a sharp performance but did not factor into the decision Friday night against the Twins.
Buchholz, who made his ninth start of the season, gave up a two-run home run to Pedro Florimon in the second inning for his only damage of the night. He was charged with two runs and four hits over seven innings of work. He struck out nine and walked three in a 3-2 win in extras.
Buchholz has struck out at least eight in four of his last five starts. He also has allowed two runs or fewer in eight of his first nine starts of the season. He is scheduled to make his next start Wednesday on the road against the White Sox.
Clay Buchholz earns another no-decision
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/11/2013) Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz put together another solid performance on the mound Saturday at home against the Blue Jays. Buchholz held Toronto to two runs over eight innings to keep his ERA pristine at 1.69.
Buchholz, however, never held a lead during his appearance. Melky Cabrera singled off him in the third to score Colby Rasmus and Boston never led in the game, though it managed to tie the score in the eighth.
Buchholz (6-0) allowed the two runs on six hits and three walks over eight frames with four strikeouts. He threw 101 pitches. The 28-year-old has back-to-back no-decisions after winning his first six starts. Still, he's given up just six runs over a span of 14 innings with 13 Ks during that winless stretch.
He'll make his next start Friday at Minnesota.
Jack Morris issues an apology to Clay Buchholz
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/10/2013) Blue Jays announcer Jack Morris issued an apology to Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz prior to Friday's three-game series at Fenway Park.
Morris, a former major-league pitcher, accused Buchholz of throwing a spitball after watching video of his performance last week.
"I told him I was sorry that I had taken attention away from what he was doing -- that's not what I was trying to do," Morris told ESPN. "I told him to have fun with it. "
Buchholz is off to a flying start, as he 6-0 with a 1.60 ERA and 56 strikeouts through his first seven starts. Morris, who won 254 games and was named the 1991 World Series MVP, claims that the two no longer hold any grudges.
"We're cool. He was cool with it. That's all that matters to me," Morris said. "As long as he's cool with it, I don't care what anyone else thinks."
Clay Buchholz not as sharp in no-decision
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/6/2013) Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz had not allowed a run in the first inning all season entering Monday at home against the Twins. He gave up two in the first behind three hits and two walks.
Buchholz, who entered the game leading the majors with a 1.01 ERA over 44 2/3 innings with six wins in six starts, managed to avoid taking his first loss as the Red Sox tied the score after he left. He allowed four earned over six innings to raise his ERA to 1.60.
He gave up seven hits, walked two and struck out nine in the 116-pitch performance.
Buchholz was accused by Blue Jays broadcasters Dirk Hayhurst and Jack Morris of having a foreign substance on his arm in his last start Wednesday in Toronto. He faces the Blue Jays again in his next start Saturday.
Clay Buchholz not changing approach
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/6/2013) Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz returns to the mound Monday against the Twins for the first time since being accused by Blue Jays broadcasters Dirk Hayhurst and Jack Morris of having a foreign substance on his arm in his last start Wednesday in Toronto. Buchholz said he isn't letting the comments affect his preperation.
"Hell no," he said, per the Boston Herald. "I’m going to go out and do the same thing and prepare the same way, put as much rosin on my arm as I’ve always done over the years. You might see some more shiny stuff."
Red Sox manager John Farrell has his own explanation for Buchholz's turnaround in 2013, which has resulted in a 6-0 record and 1.01 ERA through his first six starts.
"Confidence is at the bottom of it," Farrell said. "No matter the player or position, when they’re confident and relaxed, that’s typically when their best talents come out. It’s not any one given pitch. It’s not a foreign substance. It’s a matter of a very good pitcher taking that ability to the mound each and every time."
Clay Buccholz knocking on elite's door
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/4/2013) Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz has to do it for more than 44 2/3 innings, but he is nearly worth being considered an elite Fantasy option. Buchholz has increased his strikeout rate to 9.5 per nine innings, by far the highest number of his career, and a clear sign that he is simply overpowering hitters right now.
Buchholz is not throwing any of his pitches with much more velocity than in years past, and he has not really changed the type or frequency of pitches he is throwing, per PITCHf/x data. Despite that, he has done a good job keeping hitter's off balance at the plate, as they have swung at just 39.4 percent of his pitches, by far the lowest rate of his career. He is also generating slightly less contact on pitches out of the zone, both of which help account for the increase in strikes.
Small improvements have had a big impact on Buchholz's game, and they have turned him into a must-start Fantasy option. Al Melchior has Buchholz ranked just outside the top 10 in his Week 6 (May 6-12) Pitching Forecaster, and with two starts on the way, he should be active in all Fantasy formats.
Clay Buchholz denies doctoring baseball
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/2/2013) Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz denied any accusations of doctoring the baseball in Wednesday's victory over the Blue Jays.
Former big-league reliever Dirk Hayhurst accused Buchholz of using a foreign substance on his left arm. He also felt as if Buchholz used some liquid from hair to doctor the baseball.
"Before every start, I come out here, pack rosin on my arm," Buchholz said. "In between innings, they were saying something's in my hair. It's a bottle of water I pour on my head each inning. The water is basically, they don't want you licking your fingers on the mound, so that's just the way to have moisture on your hands. I wipe it off after every time I touch my hair, wipe my hand off."
Buchholz is off to a red-hot start. He is 6-0 with a 1.01 ERA and 47 strikeouts, marking the best start of his seven-year career.
Clay Buchholz continues to dazzle
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/1/2013) Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz showed no signs of slowing down Wednesday, as he won his sixth start in a row in a 10-1 win over the Blue Jays.
Buchholz overwhelmed the Blue Jays, tossing seven shutout innings, his third start with at least seven innings and no runs allowed. He held Toronto to just two hits in the game and struck out eight batters, while walking just three.
Buchholz is now 6-0 on the season in six starts, with a 1.01 ERA that ranks first in the American League. He has 47 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings, and just an 0.96 WHIP. He has yet to allow more than two runs or pitch fewer than seven innings in a start.
The last Red Sox pitcher to have a lower ERA after a 6-0 start is Roger Clemens in 1991, when he had an 0.73 mark and would go on to win the American League Cy Young award. Buchholz will try to remain perfect in his next start, Monday against the Twins.
Rogers Centre a home away from home for Clay Buchholz
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/1/2013) Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz enters Wednesday's start at Toronto with a 1.67 ERA in nine starts at the Rogers Centre, which is the lowest ERA of any pitcher with at least 55 innings, per ESPN. Buchholz has allowed two or fewer runs in seven straight starts at Toronto, dating back to July 17, 2009.
Clay Buchholz moving up the rankings
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (4/26/2013) Two starts into his 2013, Matt Harvey convinced me to move him up my starting pitcher rankings. It took the Red Sox's Clay Buchholz a little longer, thanks to his spotty track record, but with his latest masterpiece against the Astros Thursday, when he struck out 10 over 7 2/3 innings, he became the second pitcher to make the dramatic leap into the top 40 this season.
Specifically, I have him at 35, ahead of pitchers like Doug Fister, Mike Minor, Lance Lynn, and Jonathon Niese. C.J. Wilson, Brandon Morrow and Roy Halladay are the last three ahead of him before he reaches Harvey's level.
I can't entirely explain the increase in strikeouts, but considering he's had more than one per inning in three of his five starts, I'm having a hard time dismissing it as a fluke. The Boston Herald suggests it's a case of him learning to make the most of his arsenal, which makes sense given his top-prospect pedigree.
Clay Buchholz Ks 10 Astros
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/25/2013) Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz turned in another solid performance as he struck out 10 and picked up his fifth win of the season against the Astros.
Buchholz, who made his fifth start of the season, surrendered a run in the second and a run-scoring single to Jason Castro in the third. He was charged with two runs and six hits in 7 2/3 innings of work in a 7-2 victory. He also walked two on 109 pitches, 65 for strikes.
Buchholz has a 1.01 WHIP and is averaging just a hair under eight strikeouts per start. He is slated to pitch Wednesday at Toronto. He went 1-1 with a 2.66 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP in three starts last season against Toronto.
Analysts debate Clay Buchholz's success
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/24/2013) Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz is off to a stellar start, winning his first four starts and posting an ERA under 1.00. ESPN analysts and former major leaguers Aaron Boone and Alex Cora are the latest to break down Buchholz's resurgence.
"He's been tremendous, and I think it's a matter of him being healthy," Boone says of Buchholz. "He had the back issues a year ago, and I think that really prevented him from really finishing his pitches, really getting out in front and getting the baseball down with his fastball, his breaking ball, his changeup. He elevated more pitches last year, they weren't as crisp, and that's why he got hit around. Now we're seeing the Clay Buchholz that's had all this promise throughout his career. It's starting to come to fruition."
"He's throwing that four-seamer up and in, and then he's throwing that comebacker like Greg Maddux used to do, but at 93-94 [mph], a little bit harder than Maddux used to," Cora said. "When he does that, it opens up the outside of the plate, he can use his changeup, he can use his backdoor breaking ball, and he's very comfortable doing it."
Clay Buchholz moves to 4-0 for Red Sox
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/20/2013) Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz is perfect in four starts, the latest coming Saturday against the Royals.
Buchholz (4-0) went eight innings, allowing two runs on eight hits and a walk with six strikeouts in the 4-3 win. He threw 104 pitches, 70 for strikes.
Buchholz, who has a 0.90 ERA, was losing 2-1 after the seventh inning when he allowed Salvador Perez's RBI triple. Daniel Nava answered with a three-run homer in the eighth.
Buchholz has allowed three runs in his first 30 innings with 29 strikeouts. He'll look to keep up that dominance Thursday against Houston.
Homecoming for Red Sox placed on hold
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (4/19/2013) With most of the City of Boston under lockdown, Friday's series opener between the visiting Royals and Red Sox was postponed, the team announced. The Red Sox have not determined if Saturday's early afternoon game (1:10 p.m.) will also be postponed.
Clay Buchholz and James Shields were the probable pitchers for Friday's game, but are now expected to take the hill Saturday if a game is played.
Clay Buchholz flirts with no-hitter, Ks 11
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/14/2013) Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz pitched a gem on Sunday at home against the Tampa Bay Rays. Buchholz took a no-hit bid into the eighth inning before it was ended on a soft single by Kelly Johnson.
Buchholz still earned the victory in the game to move to 3-0 after three starts as he completed eight shutout innings and allowed just two base hits with four walks. Buchholz struck out a career-high 11 batters in the victory and managed exactly 109 pitches, 69 for strikes.
If possible, Buchholz improved after he'd allowed just one earned run over his first two starts spanning 14 innings with 12 strikeouts. He's now gone 22 innings on the year with just the one run allowed (0.41 ERA) on 11 hits with an incredible 23 strikeouts.
Buchholz has easily been the brightest spot on a solid pitching staff to start the year for manager John Farrell and the Red Sox. He will look to remain undefeated when he next takes the mound on Friday against Kansas City in his next scheduled start.
Red Sox to skip Felix Doubront; Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz stay on schedule
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (4/12/2013) The Red Sox will skip Felix Doubrontin the rotation in the wake of Friday's rainout against Tampa Bay, the Providence Journal reports.
Doubront is scheduled to make his next start on Tuesday, with Alfredo Aceves's next start pushed back until Wednesday. Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz remain as scheduled for Saturday and Sunday respectively.
Red Sox alter rotation plans
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/10/2013) The Red Sox announced Wednesday starting pitcher John Lackey (biceps) was officially scratched from Thursday's start against the Orioles. But instead of moving everyone up in the rotation as initially planned, Alfredo Aceves is scheduled to pitch Thursday for Boston.
Therefore, the rest of the Red Sox rotation will be bumped back. Felix Doubront, who was scheduled to pitch Thursday, will now open Friday's series against Tampa Bay. He will be followed by Jon Lester and Clay Buchholz.
Clay Buchholz a sell-high candidate?
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (4/9/2013) I'll admit I probably underestimated the impact of Clay Buchholz's reunion with former pitching coach John Farrell this season. Buchholz's impressive first two starts have me seeing the light, so to speak, and I now rank him 50th among starting pitchers in Head-to-Head leagues.
What's that? Only 50th?
Well, yeah. Just because I'm predicting improvement for Buchholz doesn't mean I'm expecting him to be something he's never been. During his career-best 2010 season, when he went 17-7 with a 2.33 ERA, a 1.20 WHIP and 3.4 walks per nine innings while striking out 6.5 per nine. By those indicators, his ERA probably shouldn't have been much lower than 3.40. (His xFIP was actually 4.07.)
With a suspect WHIP and uninspiring strikeout rate, an optimistic projection for Buchholz makes him about what Jair Jurrjens was during his good years with the Braves. If you catch someone buying into Buchholz as more than that, see what you can get in return.
Clay Buchholz picks up second win
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/8/2013) Make it two wins in two starts for Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz. The right-handed hurler was back on the mound for Monday's home opener against the Orioles after winning in his season debut Wednesday against the Yankees, leading Boston to a 3-1 win behind seven scoreless innings.
Buchholz (2-0) allowed three hits and four walks, while striking out eight. He owns a 0.64 ERA through 14 innings. His only run allowed came on a Travis Hafner solo home run Wednesday. Buchholz threw 65 of 113 pitches for strikes Monday.
Because of John Lackey's biceps injury, Buchholz is slated to be back on the hill Saturday vs. Tampa Bay. Buchholz went 1-3 with a 3.99 ERA in six starts against Tampa Bay last season, but he is 5-5 with a 2.76 ERA in 14 career starts against the AL East opponent.
Clay Buchholz rolls over Yankees
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/3/2013) Boston starting pitcher Clay Buchholz, who was awesome this spring with a 0.79 ERA over 22 2/3 innings pitched with 22 strikeouts, kept pitching well Wednesday in his season debut in New York.
Buchholz dominated the Yankees' lineup through seven innings, allowing only a Travis Hafner solo homer in the fourth. He gave up one earned run on six hits and two walks over seven frames and 94 pitches to earn the win. Buchholz (1-0) struck out four in the performance.
The pitcher, who has struggled the last two seasons going with 17 wins and a 4.24 ERA after notching 17 wins and a 2.33 ERA in 2010 as a 25-year-old, will look to begin a winning streak with his second start of the year Monday against Baltimore.
Buchholz is in line to make two starts next week for the Red Sox.
Yankees have Clay Buchholz's number
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/31/2013) The Yankees lineup might be lacking some firepower to begin the season as Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson recover from injuries, but I would still be hesitant to start Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz Week 1 given his poor history against the Yankees and in Yankee Stadium.
I know benching Buchholz is a tough proposition given the stellar spring he had, but the Yankees have had his number. Buchholz is 2-5 with a 7.19 ERA and 1.86 WHIP in nine career starts against New York. He hasn't had lower than a 5.06 ERA against the Yankees in any of the last three seasons, including when he went 0-2 with a 15.26 ERA in two starts against New York last year.
His numbers in new Yankee Stadium are ugly, too. Buchholz is 2-2 with a 6.14 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in four starts at new Yankee Stadium. The last time he pitched there in 2012, he allowed eight runs on six hits (three homers) and two walks in 1 2/3 innings.
Clay Buchholz takes care of Twins
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/28/2013) Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz turned in another solid performance in his final spring training start Thursday against the Twins. Buchholz fired four scoreless innings and allowed just one hit to pick up his third win of the spring. He struck out six and walked one in a 6-1 victory.
Buchholz went 3-0 with an 0.79 ERA and an 0.79 WHIP in six Grapefruit League starts.
Clay Buchholz with another solid outing
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/23/2013) Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz had a solid afternoon on the mound in a Grapefruit League start against the Pirates Saturday.
Buchholz pitched into the sixth inning, allowing one earned run on four hits and a walk with five strikeouts. He threw 88 pitches and 56 went for strikes.
Buchholz has allowed just two earned runs over 18 2/3 innings and five starts this spring with 11 hits allowed and just five walks with 16 strikeouts.
Clay Buchholz allows one hit in five innings of spring work
by Jack Moore | CBSSports.com (3/18/2013)Clay Buchholz was strong in his Monday start against Pittsburgh in Grapefruit League action, as he allowed just one hit (albeit a home run) over five innings. He gave up a run and two walks and struck out four. Buchholz has had no problem with Grapefruit League hitters in 2013. He has given up just seven hits and a run (0.68 ERA) in 13.2 innings so far.
Buchholz continues to cruise
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/12/2013) Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz tossed four scoreless innings and improved to 2-0 this spring during a 5-3 win against the Blue Jays Tuesday. Buchholz allowed three hits and no walks, while striking out one. He has now tossed 8 1/3 scoreless innings over three spring starts. He also has seven strikeouts and two walks.
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (3/7/2013) Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz, who hurt a hamstring muscle on the first day of spring training, allowed no runs on two hits with no walks and four strikeouts in three innings of work Thursday at the Twins. Manager John Farrell was pleased with the performance. "Much better tempo," Farrell said. "The fact that he pitches three solid innings puts him right back in line with the rest of the rotation and puts that whole hamstring thing behind him. I saw a number of good things from him today." Buchholz allowed three baserunners in 1 1/3 scoreless innings in his only other appearance this spring.
Buchholz labors in first start
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/2/2013) Boston starter Clay Buchholz made his Grapefruit League debut against the Twins on Saturday. Starting his spring late due to hamstring issues, Buchholz was on a 40-pitch limit and hit that limit one out into his second inning. He threw 22 strikes and struck out two batters with two walks and one hit allowed over 1 1/3 innings before he was replaced by Alfredo Aceves. "Given the fact that it was the first time out, I was happy with everything," he told reporters after the game. "I felt like the ball was coming out of my hand good and used just about all of my pitches."
Buchholz ready for game action
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (2/26/2013) Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz continued to prove his health and completed his second simulated game Tuesday without any issues related to his hamstring, the Boston Globe reports. Buchholz threw 40 pitches during the two-inning outing and is scheduled to take the mound during Saturday's Grapefruit League contest against Minnesota. "It was good. Felt more comfortable," he said. "I've felt comfortable since I started throwing out of the wind-up. I started to find a balance point there at the end to get a good feel for it. Last 10 pitches I stayed on line without jumping toward home plate."
Buchholz close to spring games
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/24/2013)The Boston Globe reports Red Sox starting pitcher Clay Buchholz, who has been hobbled by a hamstring injury early in spring training, will throw a second simulated game Tuesday. The tentative plan is for him to make his spring debut Saturday against the Twins. "Even with this plan, Clay will get six appearances and be on track for the normal projection for that 95-pitch target we want to get to," manager John Farrell said.
Buchholz throws sim game
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (2/23/2013) Boston starter Clay Buchholz had his first simulated game on Saturday, reports WEEI.com. Buchholz threw mostly off-speed stuff and breaking pitches in a two-inning simulation. Buchholz is getting over a hamstring issue that bothered him early in camp. "I feel strong enough right now to go forward and get to that innings mark and go deep into games," he said. "There’s no restrictions here. I felt really good. The one thing that I definitely need to work on that I haven’t had the chance to is work out of the stretch."
Buchholz tosses some BP
(2/20/2013) MLB.com reports Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz was able to throw a round of batting practice on Wednesday and showed little signs of the hamstring injury that hindered him earlier in camp. The right-hander is expected to pitch again in a simulated game on Saturday. "Very good BP session for him today," said manager John Farrell. "Thirty pitches, which is consistent with starters who threw their first round of live BP. He came out of today feeling good about himself. He used all his pitches. It was an impressive work day."
Buchholz chips away at concern
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (2/18/2013) Boston starting pitcher Clay Buchholz successfully completed a bullpen session Monday with no problems associated to the hamstring strain he suffered last week, ESPN reports. Buchholz, who was pulled from the practice field last Tuesday with the issue, threw 45 total pitches, including 35 from the pitching rubber. He is expected to toss a live batting practice session Wednesday. "He threw all his pitches, no restrictions," Red Sox manager John Farrell said. "He's not cleared for full baseball activity, but his mound session was good."
Buchholz ups his throwing
(2/15/2013) MLB.com reports Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz was able to throw long toss on Friday, three days after straining his right hamstring. The right-hander was able to throw off a mound Thursday and remains day to day. "Buchholz got out to 120 feet of long toss today," said manager John Farrell. "We've still got some functional running tests we've got to put him through before we turn him loose completely."
Buchholz showing quick progress
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (2/14/2013) Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz, who suffered a right hamstring strain Tuesday, threw off the mound Thursday with the catcher standing up. “The most important thing is that we were able to keep his arm moving,” Red Sox manager Farrell, per ESPN. “He feels less and less restriction to that. At this point, we project another couple of days before he can throw a bullpen in earnest. He’ll go through some functional running tests on the field before we turn him loose completely, but a step in the right direction today.”
Buchholz's status improves
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/13/2013) Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz's status improved Wednesday -- a day after he suffered a right hamstring strain during fielding drills. If Buchholz responds to treatment, he might throw off the base of the mound Thursday. “It was a good day for Clay Buchholz,” Red Sox manager John Farrell, per ESPN. “He’s responded favorably to treatment. His range of motion is good. His strength is good. He still has some sensation in a smaller spot, more localized than [Tuesday]. He actually went out and threw after the workout, not off the mound, but he was able to put a ball back in his hand. It was an encouraging day for him.”
Buchholz tweaks hamstring
by Nando Di Fino | Senior Fantasy Writer (2/12/2013) Red Sox pitcher Clay Buchholz was pulled from the practice field on Tuesday after it appeared he pulled his right hamstring during fielding drills, according to Joe McDonald of ESPN.com. McDonald added that Buchholz "seemed visibly disappointed," and pointed out that Buchholz missed a month in 2010 with a left hamstring strain. "We weren't going to take any chances," manager John Farrell said after the injury.
Sox tinkering with Buchholz
by Nando Di Fino | Senior Fantasy Writer (1/11/2013) Speaking at a fundraiser Thursday in Falmouth, Mass., new Red Sox manager John Farrell told CapeCodOnline.com that there were some things he picked up while watching Jon Lester, Daniel Bard, and Clay Buchholz last season as manager of the Blue Jays that he has already started adjusting. "There are some things you readily see standing in the other dugout," Farrell said. "But at the time, they are the opponent." Farrell is familiar with the Red Sox pitchers, as he spent four years as Boston's pitching coach before accepting the job as Blue Jays manager for the 2011 season.
