Clay Buchholz

The Red Sox continue their three-game set against the Rays at Tropicana Field with Clay Buchholz starting Saturday night.

Buchholz has not started since June 19 due to a gastrointestinal problem that forced him to the 15-day DL. Before the problem developed it seemed that Buchholz was finding his groove. He allowed 10 runs in his five previous starts over a total of 37 innings. Overall, the righty is 8-2 despite a terrible 5.53 ERA.

In his final start before his stint on the 15-day DL, Buchholz went six innings and allowed five runs on nine hits to earn the win against the Marlins on June 19.

The 27-year-old is 5-3 with a 2.49 ERA over 11 starts against the Rays in his career. This season he’s 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA against the Rays in three outings. The Rays know Buchholz well, with seven batters having double-digit at-bats vs. him in their careers. B.J Upton and Hideki Matsui have been the most successful against him, at 6-for-19 and 6-for-17, respectively.

If Buchholz wants to earn his ninth win of the season he must out duel Rays All-Star ace David Price.

Price has been tremendous this season with a sparkling 2.82 ERA and 11 wins, which ties him for second in the majors. He has pitched at least seven innings 11 times, including a complete-game shutout on April 24 against the Angels.

The lefty’s last start left him without a decision despite the fact he went seven innings and only allowed one run. That no-decision came in a 4-3 loss to the Yankees on July 4.

The 26-year-old is 6-4 with a 3.22 ERA against the Red Sox in 12 starts. Both of his starts vs. Boston this season ended in a loss for the Rays. On April 13 he allowed three runs on four hits in only three innings in a 12-2 loss at Fenway. Then on May 26 in Boston, he went seven innings allowing one run on eight hits in a no-decision. Tampa Bay lost that game 3-2. David Ortiz and Adrian Gonzalez have the most at-bats vs. him in their careers and are 4-for-22 and 3-for-18, respectively.

Red Sox vs. Price (LHP)

David Ortiz (26 plate appearances): .182 BA/.308 OBP/.273 SLG, 2 doubles, 3 RBIs, 4 walks, 6 strikeouts

Adrian Gonzalez (21): .167/.286/.222, 1 double, 1 RBI, 3 walks, 5 strikeouts

Mike Aviles (11): .182/.182/.273, 1 double, 2 strikeout

Jarrod Saltalamacchia (10): .125/.300/.250, 1 double, 2 walks, 3 strikeouts

Cody Ross (8): .167/.375/.333, 1 double, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts

Brent Lillibridge (6): .400/.400/.400

Daniel Nava (6): .000/.167/.000, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts

Ryan Sweeney (5): .500/.500/.500, 1 RBI

Kelly Shoppach (4): .500/.667/1.000, 1 double

Will Middlebrooks (3): .667/.667/.667, 1 RBI

Nick Punto (3): .000/.000/.000

Aaron Cook (2): .000/.000/.000

Rays vs. Buchholz (RHP)

Luke Scott (30 plate appearances): .231 BA/.333 OBP/.538 SLG, 2 doubles, 2 home runs, 5 RBIs, 3 walks, 5 strikeouts

Carlos Pena (27): .200/.259/.360, 1 double, 1 HR, 2 RBIs, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts

Ben Zobrist (27): .130/.259/.130, 2 RBIs, 4 walks, 5 strikeouts

Hideki Matsui (23): .316/.435/.368, 1 double, 1 RBI, 4 walks, strikeouts

B.J. Upton (20): .353/.450/.588, 1 double, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 3 walks, 4 strikeouts

Jose Molina (12): .400/.417/.500, 1 double, 2 RBIs, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts

Sean Rodriguez (10): .333/.333/.444, 1 double, 2 strikeouts

Will Rhymes (9): .571/.667/.571, 1 RBI, 2 walks

Desmond Jennings (4): .000/.250/.000, 1 walk

Jeff Keppinger (3): .000/.000/.000

Elliot Johnson (2): .500/.500/.500, 1 strikeout