Looking For Something?

With the Tampa Bay Rays about 15 minutes removed from putting the final nail in the coffin of the Red Sox, you fans out there may be wondering what there is left to root for or keep interest in the team.  I would say young september call-ups, but we've already had a few of them up since the beginning of August.  We don't have any hitters capable of winning the MVP or of leading a significant statistical category (with that said: major props to Miguel Cabrera and Josh Hamilton).  That leaves us with one last thing. The last ray of light in this season.  Clay Buchholz and the Cy Young.  Before I continue, I would like to ask the baseball gods to take mercy on our young right hander, unlike they did with Kevin Youkilis.  Since I'm sure no one noticed or in fact read the post, several hours after I made my post in appreciation of Kevin Youkilis, he was injured for the season.  So please baseball gods, don't go after Buchholz after this post is published.

Now, with that out of the way, let's discuss our boy.  Buchholz has had, perhaps, the best season for an A.L. pitcher this season.  Sure a few pitchers out there have as many or more wins than him and yes he does not have as many starts or innings as the other pitchers in the discussion for the Cy Young, however, he does have the lowest ERA.  The front runner for the award (C.C. Sabathia) has an ERA almost a full run higher than Buchholz's (3.14 to 2.21) and a slightly higher WHIP(1.23 to 1.18).  Sabathia also get great run support.  While he has had a fantastic season, even if he does throw a stinker on the board, the Yankee offense picks up the slack.  Five innings and six runs is still a win.  Buchholz has managed to get 15 wins in 23 starts plus maintain a 2.21 ERA against easily the best division in baseball.  He has been the one consistent pitcher for the Sox all year (I'd include Jon Lester if it wasn't for a rough patch here and there) and is the primary reason they still have a slight chance at the postseason.  Every fifth day Buchholz has been what Beckett and Lackey are supposed to be: a tough competitor who backs down from no hitter and still, most importantly, gets excellent results.

I understand this post has probably cursed the poor guy and he will probably be shelled in September.  However, if this does not happen his season needs more recognition on t.v. by the goons on Baseball Tonight, Sportscenter, and any other sports talk show.  He most likely won't win the Cy Young but he should.