What happened to old Clay?
Old Clay would have thrown 94 mile per hour fastballs, 12 to 6 curveballs, knee buckling changeups, and more knee buckling changeups with unwavering confidence. He would have thrown them all for strikes, and he would have thrown them all with efficiency.
New, post-first-injury Clay, throws 92 mile per hour fastballs, 12 to 3 curveballs, and tater-ball changeups that stay up in the zone--and he's lost all confidence. What happened to you, Clay?
You are the one that no-hit the Orioles in 2007, right? You are the one that was the most highly-touted pitching prospect in the entire league, right? You are the one whose, despite your allegiance to the Yankees as a child, starts I had grown to anticipate more than anyone else's, right?
I know injuries can really throw off pitching mechanics and yadda yadda yadda. That is why I believe Old Clay will come back--it's just a matter of when? We're in the middle of a race for the East, sir. We need you now more than ever.
I'm still behind you, Mr. Buchholz. I still think you'll grow into an ace someday. I also think that you'd better start showing signs of your old self, or I'll become increasingly disappointed every time you give up 5 runs in 2.1 innings. You might want to do it for your own good, too, since we have a very able Justin Masterson waiting in the bullpen when he could be getting your starts. Make your time here worth it--for your fans, and for yourself.
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8 comments:
Obviously Buchholz is struggling. His ERA is fast approaching 7, and hasn't won a game since may 2nd. I actually haven't seen him pitch much at all considering I'm living in a country where the only thing they know about baseball is that it exists, but statistically he is shitting the bed.
He isn't getting the job done, even as a number 5 starter.
Now with the recent acquisition of Paul Byrd, I believe once Wakefield returns, Clay will be trotted out to the bullpen, given the Sox a staff looking something like this.
1. becks (assuming hes okay)
2. dice-k
3. lester (pitching the best of everyone)
4. wakefield
5. byrd
bullpen of Paps, okie dokie, delcarmen, lopez, masterson, timlin, and maybe clay
Hopefully wakefield can come back healthy because I think its too late in the pennant race to be fooling around with a pitcher who can't get us through the fifth inning.
In response to your post Timbo... obviously I agree with the jist of what you are saying, but really "old clay" only existed for about a month last year. Yes, he threw a no hitter which was spectacular and exciting, and also threw great in long relief one game picking up a win; however, outside of 2 good back to back starts earlier in the year, this guy hasnt shown any type of consistency whatsoever.
Maybe he needs to go back to Pawtucket.
True, he was only there for 2 months. But still, there's a good enough sample for what he's capable of. Maybe he was playing above himself, which is always a legitimate possibility.
Oh, well. Maybe he's just another bust.
PS.
Buchholz has been demoted to AA Portland after last night's atrocity.
Who takes his spot? Maybe Wake is feeling better, or maybe Masterson gets moved out of the pen.
Thoughts?
I think its the right move. He can't stay in our rotation and keep throwing stinkers out there like this.
I think at some point we'll have to bring somebody up to spot start because of the injury... like David Pauley or somebody.
Good thing we got Paul Byrd.
Fact. Maybe a few weeks in AA is what he needs--I haven't heard much about Pauley lately, but I've been hearing a lot about Michael Bowden--3.21 ERA in Pawtucket so far this year. Not overly impressive, but could warrant a spot start or two in the bigs.
I'm hoping Wake can return as quickly as possible. I for one do not want to throw another young pitcher into a pennant race over the last 6 weeks of the season. As for Masterson picking up some starts, the sox would ideally keep him in the bullpen considering he's been the only real consistent reliever other that Paps. If Wake is healthy though, I believe we are fine.
paging bartolo colon?
is the fat man anywhere near 100%?
Fatty McFatfat hasn't been doing too well lately, from what I've heard.
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