BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Red Sox plan to start Tim Wakefield instead of an ailing Clay Buchholz on Saturday against the New York Yankees.
Buchholz, who is 17-7 with a 2.33 ERA, has stiffness in his lower back, the team announced Friday. Wakefield is 4-10 with a 5.20 ERA.
The Yankees arrived in Boston for a season-ending three-game series beginning Friday night. New York began the day tied with Tampa Bay for first place in the AL East and the best record in the league at 94-65. The Red Sox were eliminated from playoff contention early this week.
John Lackey (13-11) is scheduled to pitch for the Red Sox on Sunday. Yankees manager Joe Girardi said he didn’t know yet who would start that game for him.
