08:29 AM EDT on Monday, May 24, 2004

AP photo Tim Wakefield gestures toward catcher Doug Mirabelli after retiring the Blue Jays in the sixth inning yesterday.

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Who is the real ace of the Red Sox pitching staff?
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BOSTON -- Since the start of the season, an unofficial debate has raged about the identity of the real ace of the Red Sox pitching staff. Take your pick -- Pedro Martinez or Curt Schilling -- and let the argument begin.

But as the season approaches June, what if the real answer is: C, none of the above? What if, upon closer inspection, the best Red Sox starter through the first quarter of the season is neither Martinez nor Schilling, but Tim Wakefield?

That theory took on more relevance yesterday as Wakefield went seven innings to earn his fourth victory and lower his E.R.A. to 3.21. In eight starts this season, Wakefield has allowed two runs or less six times. He's pitched at least six innings in six straight starts. Not since his first outing of the season, when he was still building up his arm strength, has Wakefield failed to get through the sixth.

"I looked at his start-to-start last year," remarked Terry Francona after the Sox had drubbed the Toronto Blue Jays 7-2, "and he's one of the most consistent starters in the league. And he's picking up right where he left off."

The case could be made that this is Wakefield's best start to a season since his first with the Red Sox when, fresh off baseball's scrap heap, he reeled off 14 wins his first 15 decisions in 1995.

Wakefield backed away from categorizing his season to date ("I just look at my next start"), but it's difficult to find fault with his first two months. He had one mediocre start against Kansas City on May 7, allowing four earned runs in eight innings, and a poor one against Cleveland five days later, tagged for eight hits and six earned runs against in six innings.

But just as quickly, Wakefield has posted back-to-back gems, allowing a single run on three hits to Tampa Bay, followed by yesterday's performance which earned the Sox a sweep of the Blue Jays. Both came on short rest -- not the baseball kind, but the new father variety.

"I try to stay as consistent as I can," shrugged Wakefield.

Consistency has been the hallmark of Wakefield's stay in Boston, a fact just now being recognized by others. Earlier this year, Yankee manager Joe Torre cited Wakefield as one of the league's top pitchers and an underappreciated treasure.

Give Torre credit for that observation. Too often, Wakefield is seen as some sort of freak whose signature pitch makes him a pitching novelty.

Not true, according to pitching coach Dave Wallace.

"He's not just a knuckleballer," Wallace said. "This guy can pitch. He's very aware of pitch selection, and he's very aware of opponents' tendencies. He's very, very prepared. His professionalism is amazing. He understands situations and what he has to do when he doesn't have the knuckler working for him.

"It's not an accident that he's where he is in his career."

Where Wakefield is is rapidly climbing Red Sox history charts. Yesterday was his 50th career win at Fenway. It was also his 228th start for the Sox, tying him with Bill Monbouquette for fifth all-time.

He passed Lefty Grove -- and Martinez -- in career wins and is now tied -- at 106 -- with Joe Dobson for seventh place. He could own sixth place -- Bob Stanley is there now with 115 -- before the season concludes.

And of course, as usual, there are the innings. He contributed seven yesterday, to give him 1,714 innings as a member of the Sox, moving him ahead of Stanley and into fifth place. By mid-season, he'll pass Mel Parnell, who is fourth.

What does he mean to the staff?

"More than anyone would know," said Wallace. "He means so much I'm not sure I could do it justice in words."

As for the debate, let it rage.

"He kind of flies beneath the radar," said a teammate, "and that's where he's at his best. He kind of sneaks up on people. He's a confidence guy; when he's got his confidence, he can do just about everything."

When Wakefield gets on a roll, there's virtually no stopping him as those who recall his magical 1995 run can attest.

"Personally, I've never seen him be this consistent," marveled Wallace. "Every start, you look up and you're in it -- 2-1, 3-2, 5-4. He manages the game. That's what pitching's all about."