Red Sox Rotation Shuffle: Lester, Beckett Swap Spots
BOSTON (CBS) -The Boston Red Sox were forced to shuffle their rotation for their four-game series with the Angels after Clay Buchholz was scratched Sunday with a stomach bug.
Buchholz, who was replaced by Tim Wakefield in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Mariners, will now take the mound Monday night when Boston opens their series against the Angels at Fenway. He will be opposed by Jered Weaver for the second time this season, who is off to a red-hot start at 6-0 with an 0.99 ERA.
Listen: Peter Abraham On Toucher & Rich: Is Bobby Jenks The Carl Crawford Of Bullpen?
After Buchholz is where the shuffling really starts. Jon Lester and Josh Beckett switched spots, with Lester going Tuesday on normal rest and Beckett getting the call Wednesday on six days rest. Beckett last pitched April 27 against the Orioles, when he went six innings, allowing four earned runs off seven hits. Although manager Terry Francona did not say why Beckett would get so much time off between starts, keep in mind he did throw 125 pitches against the Angels on April 21, the most he has thrown in a Red Sox uniform.
Photo Gallery: Red Sox In April: Who Was Hot, Who Was Not?
There are also questions about Diasuke Matsuzaka, who left his last start with stiffness in his elbow. After back-to-back gems by Matsuzaka, the Sox righty was only able to go four innings against the Mariners giving up one run off three hits before leaving the game.
Read: Matsuzaka Says He Feels Fine After Leaving Game Early
Projected Pitching Matchups
Monday 7:10 pm
- Jered Weaver (6-0, 0.99 ERA) vs Clay Buchholz (1-3 5.33 ERA)
Tuesday 7:10 pm
- Dan Haren (4-1, 1.23 ERA) vs Jon Lester (2-1, 2.52 ERA)
Wednesday 7:10 pm
- Ervin Santana (1-3, 4.89 ERA) vs Josh Beckett (2-1, 2.65)
Thursday 1:35 pm
- Joel Piniero (0-0, 1.29 ERA) vs John Lackey (2-3, 5.65 ERA)
