FORT MYERS, Fla. - In eight major league seasons, Clay Buchholz has never pitched against the Philadelphia Phillies or gotten an Opening Day assignment.
In a week, he can cross both items off his "to do'' list. Finally confirming what everyone had known for weeks, manager John Farrell anointed Buchholz his choice to pitch the regular season opener April 6 at Citizens Bank Park.
"It's definitely an honor,'' said Buchholz before the start of Sunday's game between the Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays. "There's a lot of attention on it because it's Opening Day, but I'm going to try to take it as normal as possible and try to cherish the moment because not very many people get to be a part of that, or be an Opening Day starter especially for an organization like Boston.
"I'm happy about it.''
In Buchholz's career, the Opening Day assignments have gone to Josh Beckett or Jon Lester. The fact that he's being given the role is a reminder of how much is expected of him, as hinted at when Farrell noted: "This is his time.''
"We have meetings once we get here with John (Farrell) and Juan (Nieves) and Ben (Cherington),'' said Buchholz. "We sit down and sort of go over what they expect, the outlook and everything and that was one of the messages that Ben gave to me. 'You've been here for a little bit and had some ups and downs.' I think I've matured as a person and as a baseball player.
Buchholz arrived in camp last month determine to make some adjustments in his delivery and re-claim the changeup that had been a dominant pitch for him, but mysteriously disappeared on him in 2014.
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"Just being comfortable with that,'' said Buchholz. "And knowing that you're ready in your own mind, I think that takes a lot of the weight off you.''
Other than some spring training appearances in the past, Buchholz has, oddly, never faced the Phils before despite the fact that the Sox have them regularly in recent seasons.
"It seems like every time we've gone there, I pitched the day before or I got the start the day after (the Sox leave town),'' said Buchholz. "Obviously, it's a rivalry and it's a pretty fun atmosphere. Just being there in the dugout, those fasns can be pretty harsh. It brings a lot of excitement, brings more adrenaline, I think. Like I said, I think I'm ready.''
Buchholz has been the starter for some other milestone games such as Patriot's Day and the 100-year Fenway Anniversary game, and he'll take those experiences with him as he prepares next Monday, trying to shut out external distractions.
"I'm going to do everything just as I would,'' said Buchholz. "Not to take anything away from Opening Day but I want to do everything I can to prepare (normally).''