Boston @ Cleveland preview
Progressive Field
Last Meeting ( Jun 8, 2010 ) Boston 3, Cleveland 2
Clay Buchholz and Justin Masterson didn't see much of each other as teammates with the Boston Red Sox during a two-year span.
That was mainly because Buchholz could not pitch effectively enough to stick with Boston while Masterson was blossoming into an effective spot starter/reliever with the Red Sox.
How things have changed in the two years since Buchholz and Masterson first shared roster spots on Boston's pitching staff in the first month of the 2008 season.
Buchholz (8-3) has emerged as one of the top young right-handers in the game and carries a five-game winning streak into tonight's matchup against Masterson and the Cleveland Indians.
Few pitchers not named Ubaldo Jimenez have been as impressive as Buchholz in the past month.
Buchholz has won his last five starts and seven of his last eight. He has allowed only four earned runs and 23 hits during the five-game winning streak and enters tonight having thrown 18 consecutive scoreless innings.
The 25-year-old Buchholz has been sensational in his past two outings. He went the distance last time out, allowing just five hits in an 11-0 shutout of Baltimore.
It was Buchholz’s first nine-inning complete game since he threw a no-hitter in his second major league start in September 2007.
And, in his previous start, Buchholz outdueled reigning Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke, throwing seven scoreless frames in Boston's 1-0 victory over Kansas City.
Conversely, Masterson's stock has plummeted since last year's midseason trade that brought catcher Victor Martinez to the Red Sox from Cleveland.
Masterson (1-5) finally broke into the win column in his last start, giving up one run on five hits in 5 2/3 innings in a 10-1 win over the Chicago White Sox.
That snapped an 11-game losing streak for Masterson and ended a winless drought that had spanned 17 starts dating to August 2009.
Among the many problems plaguing Masterson this season is a lack of control. He has walked at least four batters in five of his 11 starts and issued a season-high six free passes against the White Sox.
The Indians supplied some rare offensive support to Masterson his last time out, but the offense has disappeared in losing the first two games of this four-game set to Boston.
Cleveland has managed just three runs and 10 hits in the two defeats and remains stuck on eight home wins this season – the fewest in the major leagues.
Kevin Youkilis went 3-for-4 Tuesday night, his fifth multi-hit game in the last eight contests for Boston.