Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Faster Pace Means Good Results For Buchholz

AP Photo/David Goldman
Clay Buchholz is consciously trying to pitch more quickly this Spring. The results have been encouraging. Yesterday, the right-hander hurled four shutout innings against the Toronto Blue Jay Juggernaut. So far this Spring, he's pitched 8 1/3 scoreless innings—allowing only six hits, walking two and striking out nine. Said Buchholz, "That’s been my No. 1 key as of late, getting on the rubber and throwing a pitch and getting back up there. Just to make the game go a little bit quicker and not have to think too much. Just getting the ball and trying to go after it.” Meanwhile, the former biggest offender on the timing front—Josh Beckett—is also having a fantastic Spring.