However, there is one pitcher who has been a constant for the Red Sox throughout the month of August, and that is righty Clay Buchholz. The Red Sox are 5-0 in his last five starts from the mound, and he earned the Sox a 6-0 shutout victory over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on August 17.
In a week strewn with shaky starts from the mound, Buchholz's was the only one where he commanded the game from the get-go. And that is why for the second consecutive week, Buchholz has earned the Amica Pitcher of the Week Honors.
Buchholz threw a gem for Boston in the homestand opener against the Angels. Though the performance was overshadowed by Ryan Kalish's first career grand slam — and first home run at Fenway Park — Buchholz's efforts did not go unnoticed. The righty threw for seven solid innings, allowing just five hits and two walks, while striking out three.
For GM Terry Francona, Buchholz's consistency has been one thing the Red Sox can rely on heading into the last stretch of the 2010 season.
"I think that's part of being whether a good pitcher or a good player … is the consistency," Francona said of Buchholz, who is 14-5 this season. "A lot of guys can go out there sometimes. That's why I have so much respect for guys that do it every day, because you're not going to feel good every day. You're gonna sit, you're gonna be sore, but the guys that can go repeat it and do it are pretty special. Buch's certainly getting to that group. He's been pretty terrific all year."
Up next for Buchholz is the start against Shawn Marcum in the series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. The Red Sox' starter has the edge in the game, as he posts incredible stats against Toronto this year. He is 2-0 with a 0.56 ERA against the Blue Jays in 2010.