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Buchholz gets first turn against Blue Jays

Apr 5, 2008 - 1:09 PM Boston (3-2) at Toronto (2-2) 1:07 pm EDT

TORONTO (Ticker) - As if the reigning World Series champions weren't loaded enough, one of the best pitching prospects in baseball will join the rotation on Saturday.

Clay Buchholz gets the nod for his first start of the season when the Boston Red Sox visit the Toronto Blue Jays.

Despite returning nearly every important piece from a pitching staff that led the league in ERA last season, Buchholz forced his way into the picture for the 2008 season with three stellar starts last year.

The 23-year-old righthander pitched a no-hitter in his second major league start last season, striking out nine Baltimore Orioles hitters.

Having yet to exhaust his rookie status, Buchholz remains one of the top prospects in all of baseball, with a four-pitch repertoire that includes a deadly changeup and curveball.

Buchholz will be attempting to even the series after Toronto took the first game, 6-3, on Friday. Frank Thomas drove in a pair of runs and Matt Stairs homered for the Blue Jays.

Toronto will send Jesse Litsch to the mound on Saturday. A rookie in 2007, Litsch posted a 7-9 record with a 3.81 ERA, including three straight strong outings to end the season in which he combined to allow three runs in 20 1/3 innings.

The 23-year-old righthander had mixed success against the Red Sox, allowing two runs over 13 1/3 innings in a pair of victories and getting knocked around for seven runs in 3 1/3 innings in a loss.