Last Tuesday Clay Buchholz got the nod to start against Tampa Bay. He tossed a good outing and picked up his 5th win of the season going 6.1 IP, giving up 5 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, and 9 Ks. However, despite a great performance, his role for the foreseeable future will be as an 8th inning set up man.

Clay Buchholz was DEALING in last night’s win over the Rays.https://t.co/UJGTvKxXJr — Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) August 24, 2016

Since the All-Star break, out of the bullpen and rotation, Clay has been proving to show a turnaround. Since July from both from the pen and starting, he has a 2.89 ERA with opponents batting only .212 against him and an OBP of .278.

John Farrell doesn't want to label Clay Buchholz as the eighth inning guy but it seems clear he will be used in high leverage situations. — Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) August 26, 2016

In his last 7.1 innings, he has a 1.23 ERA, 5 H, 9 Ks, and a WHIP of 1.10. He has shown to have settled down and evidently gained some of his confidence back.

In a bullpen that has been struggling during the second half, especially in the 8th inning role, this could be a move that helps the Red Sox figure out their bullpen management. Despite Clay being an unorthodox setup man with upwards of 5 different pitches, it seems as if his best fit will be in high leverage situations.

According to Roto Champs ROS projections, Clay is projected at 36 IP, 4.07 ERA, and a WHIP of 1.31.

Apparently, not everyone is a huge believer that Clay has changed from the first half. However, whether not he is a new pitcher, only time will tell. And what better time to prove everyone wrong than now.