Buchholz gets start tomorrow

TORONTO - Red Sox manager Terry Francona said he held off on making the announcement in case he needed to use Clay Buchholz out of the bullpen during last night's 6-1 loss to the Blue Jays, but after the game he announced that the 23-year-old rookie righthander will start against the Blue Jays tomorrow night.

An opening in the rotation was created when Daisuke Matsuzaka was bumped back until Saturday as the Sox align their rotation for the playoffs (and give Matsuzaka an extra three days' rest). The Sox now have Josh Beckett (Friday), Matsuzaka, and Curt Schilling (Sunday) lined up to face the Devil Rays in Tampa Bay.

That is the rotation with which they are expected to open the playoffs, a destination that is all but a foregone conclusion. The division title may be in some doubt - the Yankees closing to within 3 1/2 games last night - but the Sox are seven games ahead of the other wild-card contender, the Tigers, who were beaten last night by the Indians.

Buchholz threw 25 pitches in the bullpen in a "touch and feel" session last night. Francona would not say what limits will be placed on him tomorrow night, other than to say, "We wouldn't ask him to go nine."

Buchholz, not surprisingly, was elated by the news. This will be his first start since he threw a no-hitter against the Orioles Sept. 1 in Fenway Park, and the first time he has pitched since Sept. 6 in Baltimore, when he got the win with three scoreless innings of relief.

"I'm trying to stay in the same rhythm as I was when I came up here as far as the routine I had going," Buchhholz said. "It's been a little different being in the bullpen. I think going back to at least one more start will probably be better for me."

Buchholz said he has thrown "probably four or five" side sessions.

"The time off has let me rest a little bit," he said. "I've gotten to throw here and there, so it's been good."