Red Sox pitching is getting all the attention lately. The best rotation in baseball on paper at the beginning of the season collapsed under the weight of injuries and the World Baseball Classic.

And now we’re witnessing some kind of pitching mini-renaissance in Boston with the Dice Revelation from last night’s series opener against the Angels. The news on Wakefield is that he’s still day to day, but Tito is saying he could be ready for the series against the O’s in Camden.

So with four solid starters (please keep it up, Dice), and Wakefield questionable, we’re starting Paul Byrd tonight against the Angels again. I’m not really worried, because Becks is back on the mound tomorrow, and we’ve already taken the first game. But Byrd, as likable and workhorse as he is, is not Tim Wakefield.

If you don’t know who Paul Byrd is, he’s been around the league pitching for everyone from the Phillies to the Braves to the Angels, is reputed to be one of the nicest guys in baseball. Here’s what he said about being called up to pitch for the Sox this season after the Smoltz Disaster:

“I want a World Series ring, any way I can help this team get that. If they need me to clean toilets, I’ll go do that. Whatever they need me to do, I’ll do. I told that to Tito [Francona]. I said, ‘I’ll help you out any way I can. I’ll get ready, and whatever you need me to do, I’ll do.’” – From RedSox.com

I wonder if he’d do that crazy wind up before scrubbing the bowl.

Despite all that, he’s not the best starter. He’s undefeated in Fenway this season, and 4-2 against the Angels with a 4.94 ERA. But my guess is he’ll look more like the Byrd from Chicago a few weeks ago, and I can only that he can eat up some innings tonight.

All that being said, I am really excited about our chances in October with this revitalized rotation.

What do you think?