What to Do with the Pitching?

Clay Buchholz is making his fifth start tonight. Surprisingly, he is 2-1, but his ERA 8.87 (it has gone down!) and his WHIP is 1.925. He’s given up 33 hits, 23 runs (22 earned runs), 6 home runs, walked 10, while striking 11 in 22.1 innings. Needless to say, Buchholz needs to pitch well tonight.

I may be undeservingly hard on Buchholz, but I think most people are. He’s shown great stuff in the past, pitched a no-hitter on his second career Major League start, won a World Series when he was only 22. Just two seasons ago, he went 17-7 with a 2.33 ERA, a 1.203 WHIP, and was sixth in Cy Young voting. We as Red Sox fans know Buchholz has what it takes to pitch in the AL East and help lead this Red Sox fans, so it’s understandable when we get frustrated while we watch him struggle this season.

In Buchholz’s defense, he was out for almost half the season last year with a back injury, and it will take some time to adjust to pitching every fifth day again. He’s had to go from being a fourth or fifth starter to a third starter, completing “The Big Three” of the Red Sox. Maybe he wasn’t ready this year.

And this brings me to the question I have, what to do with the pitching? Aaron Cook is ready to hit the Majors, patiently (or not so patiently perhaps) waiting in Pawtucket. With a May 1st opt-out clause, the Red Sox need to make a decision. In five games with Pawtucket, Cook is 3-0 with a 1.89 ERA and 1.110 WHIP in 33.1 innings. He’s given up 26 hits, 9 runs (7 earned runs), 1 home run, walked 11 while striking out 13.

There’s been some talk about having Cook be used as a relief pitcher, that way the Red Sox wouldn’t lose their hold on the pitcher. Cook’s had some problems in the Majors, with a lifetime 4.53 ERA and 1.691 WHIP. But, it’s important to point out that Cook has spent his entire career prior to this year with the Colorado Rockies. The ball travels differently in Colorado, as we all know since they use the Humidor.

Another thing that’s important to point out is Matsuzaka is heading to Pawtucket to continue his rehab assignment. While Matsuzaka didn’t do too well in High-A Salem, in four innings he had a 6.75 ERA, 1.500 WHIP, gave up 6 hits, 3 runs, 2 home runs, while striking out 3 and walking 0, he seemed to do better in Double-A Portland- 4.2 innings, 1.93 ERA, 1.071 WHIP, 3 hits, 1 run, 0 home runs, 2 walks, 7 strikeouts.

Of course, this is just a small sampling from Matsuzaka, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery. Matsuzaka has been such an enigma since he’s come to the Red Sox, that we’ve all come to expect a great pitched game followed by a horribly pitched game. But, maybe Bobby Valentine can be the different for Matsuzaka?

So, the Red Sox have some options that they need to consider. Do they keep sending out Buchholz if he continues to pitch the way he does? If not, do they try Aaron Cook as a starter while ushering Buchholz to Triple-A for an injury or “injury?” If they keep with Buchholz, do they use Cook as a reliever? And, what happens when Matsuzaka does finally return?

* If you haven’t noticed, I’m currently in the process of tagging all of the previous posts (there are over 80 of them!). I’m not sure how long this will take, as I have a few things going on that may prevent me from getting them all accomplished in one setting. I hope this is an improvement that people enjoy!