The Sox series comes to a close with David Phelps (5-5, 3.89 ERA) on the mound against Clay Buchholz (5-7, 5.87 ERA). July was good to Phelps. He went 2-1 with a 2.97 ERA in five starts. His only rough start in July was his last against Texas when they put up four runs in one inning. “It honestly just hit me that it all happened with two outs,” Phelps said. “That’s incredibly frustrating. Thinking back, they weren’t bad pitches — they weren’t the right pitches. It’s frustrating. As a team, we put up seven zeros, and then a four spot. When you’re facing a guy like Darvish, it’s tough.” The Sox saw Phelps three times out of the pen in April, including his first career save on April 10th.
Buchholz has been roughed up in his last three starts after throwing a three hit shutout against the Astros before the break. He has given up at least four runs in each of those starts, walking and striking out eight. With Lester and Lackey being dealt, Buchholz is the longest tenured starter on the Sox. “It is an opportunity for him to grow into being more of a leader. One of the greatest ways to do that is to go out and do your job first and foremost,” John Farrell said. “Clay has shown since the DL stint that he can do that. He also does provide a lot of experience , especially against teams in this division. He can lend first hand experience to some of the younger guys. I think he’ll relish that role.”
Michael Pineda is scheduled to throw 60-65 pitches for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Sunday. He’s been on the DL since May 6th with a right shoulder strain, and hasn’t pitched since April 23rd because of a 10-game suspension for using pine tar. He threw 45 pitches during a simulated game on Tuesday and got through without any issues. He has a 1.83 ERA and 1.02 WHIP in four starts this season and could return to the rotation by mid August.
Notes on the game
Phelps is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in 10 career games, three starts, against Boston.
Phelps allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his five starts in July
First pitch at 8:00 pm on ESPN.
