When John Farrell met with reporters Sunday at Fenway Park, his words sounded like a presidential candidate’s response in one of those tiresome debates.
Questions were asked but the scripted answers took on a different agenda.
Responding to a query about how the Red Sox played in April, Farrell talked about the team’s improvement and then launched into the subject of Clay Buchholz.
“We’ve got to get Clay going,” Farrell said. “He’s an important part of our rotation … we’ve got to get him on track.”
Buchholz, scheduled to start Wednesday night in Chicago, is 0-3 with a 6.51 ERA. Five of Boston’s losses have come in his starts.
Asked about the American League East, Farrell spoke about the parity and how teams are looking to improve. But then he ventured back to his underachieving starter.
“Like I said, we’ve got to get Clay going,” he repeated. “That’s a big improvement we could make.”
The talented Buchholz has often befuddled, going back to 2007. He went from Portland to Boston that season, pitching a no-hitter in his second start with the Red Sox. But he was left off Boston’s postseason roster because of a weak shoulder – blamed on poor conditioning.
In 2008, Buchholz began the season on the major league roster but was oddly demoted to Portland in August because of ineffectiveness. The Red Sox wanted Buchholz to again work with Sea Dogs pitching coach Mike Cather, who emphasized throwing strikes.
Cather was against wasting pitches and nibbling with pitches just off the plate.
Buchholz is still maddening with his nibbling.
Last year, when trying to describe how Buchholz struggled in an April game, Farrell said there’s nothing wrong with his pitcher’s talent.
“It’s not stuff,” Farrell said. It’s “strikes, and staying ahead in the count.”
And Farrell is still talking about it – even when not asked.
“There are times when we’ve seen Clay execute pitches with a greater conviction to the pitch,” Farrell said Sunday. “There are other times when maybe he’s pitched away from contact a little too much, and not attacked the strike zone. To me, there comes a point or an attitude on the mound that’s got to be prevailing.”
Attitude? Farrell all but called Buchholz out.
Toughen up, Clay, and challenge hitters. And when you’re throwing a pitch, get your head in the game.
“The only thing that any pitcher has control over is his pitch in this moment – stay focused on that,” Farrell said.
“(You can’t be) thinking what might come two, three, four pitches down the road, or think of a 5-to-7 inning outing. Those are things far beyond the control of the moment.
“So you’re simplifying the attack plan, keeping the mind as clear and direct as possible.”
Can Buchholz do that?
Buchholz’s WHIP is 1.59 and his walks-per-nine-innings is 4.23. These are his worst numbers since 2008, when he was demoted to Portland.
We assume we won’t see him at Hadlock Field again this year. But what will the Red Sox do if Buchholz keeps this up? Is the bullpen a possibility?
Eduardo Rodriguez is due back soon, so it figures that Henry Owens – who has his own command issues – will return to Pawtucket. Joe Kelly could be back by the end of the month.
Boston would rather Buchholz stay in the rotation, reverting back to his dominant days of previous years when he put his talent and concentration on the same page.
His manager wants more strikes, more focus, and a simple, attacking attitude.
Did Buchholz get the message?
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