Buccholz OK

Clay Buccholz is out to prove that he is ready to pitch in the ALDS. Last night he extended his pitch count & you could see that his pitches, especially his breaking balls, were more crisp. But the control factor is still a work in progress. Buck has the stuff, no question. His ERA from earlier this year shows that he can be dominant on the mound. It's obvious, however, that the process of shaking off 3 months of inactivity is not easy to do. His next & last regular season start against Baltimore, a playoff contender, should show where he is on the readiness meter. Lester & Lackey have to be considered your #1 & #2 starters for the post-season. Buck is trying to beat out Jake Peavy for the #3 slot. I don't think it's a given with John Farrell that Buck is a lock for the #3 spot. Farrell's history this year is that he starts & plays the guys that he thinks give him the best chance to win. (Remember the Middlebrooks situation.) Look for more pressure on Clay Buccholz to perform well when he makes his final start in Baltimore next weekend. That game will determine his role in the playoffs.