Paul Byrd was acquired by the Sox for a player to be named later or cash.

AP / Mark Duncan

BOSTON — Paul Byrd said he’s wanted to play in the World Series ever since he was a kid.

Now, the 37-year-old veteran right-hander may get that chance.

The Red Sox acquired Byrd from the Cleveland Indians yesterday for a player to be named later or cash considerations. This move will bolster Boston’s starting rotation since Tim Wakefield is on the disabled list with shoulder stiffness, and rookie Clay Buchholz continues to struggle.

Byrd will get thrown right into the mix. He will replace Buchholz in the rotation and make his Red Sox debut on Friday at Fenway Park against the Blue Jays.

“I’m really excited to be with a great team that’s in a pennant race,” said Byrd via conference call. “I’m excited about being with a team that has a chance to win it all. I’ve played for Terry Francona (in Philadephia) before and I’m a big fan of Tito. I think the Red Sox have a great thing going, so it’s really hard to be disappointed about anything that Boston offers.”

Byrd was 7-10 with a 4.53 ERA in 22 starts for the Indians this season. But he has won all four of his starts since the All-Star break with a 1.24 ERA, which caught the attention of Red Sox management. Byrd has worked at least seven innings in each of his last three starts.

“We think he can add a veteran presence with some stability to our starting rotation,” said Red Sox GM Theo Epstein. “He’s been on a roll since the All-Star break. He’s been pretty darn good every time out there. This is a guy who has been through this before and he’s someone who we think can be dependable for us. We know what we’re going to get every fifth day. It just seems like the right time to add this kind of stabilizer.”

Byrd is expected to join his new team some time today and said he’ll be ready to pitch on Friday.

“I’ll be ready to give the team a good start and battle in front of some great fans,” he said yesterday. “I’m excited the Red Sox have taken a chance and have put their faith in me. I want to deliver.”

With Wakefield out, Buchholz struggling and Bartolo Colon still rehabbing in Pawtucket, Epstein feels Byrd’s presence will solidify the rotation down the stretch.

“You never want to get caught short on starting pitching in August and September because there’s very little you can do about it,” said Epstein. “This was an opportunity without dipping into our farm system to add a veteran, who we feel we can trust.”

When Epstein and Byrd talked yesterday afternoon, the veteran pitcher admitted he was hoping to end up with a contender.

When asked what he credits to his recent turnaround, Byrd said he just tweaked a few things and it’s helped over the last month. He believes he was tipping his pitches a little bit, so he changed his glove and motion in order to curb that problem.

“Over the last five games — I don’t want to jinx myself — but I’ve kept the ball in the yard,” he said. “I had a problem with home runs earlier in the season. I’ve kept the ball down of late and I’m throwing a better breaking ball now.”

He has not allowed a home run in his last five starts and has recorded a 1.80 ERA during that stretch.

“I’ve had an up-and-down season, but right now I’m extremely confident,” he said. “I have no fear, or no wonder which pitcher is going to show up. I feel really good about where I am right now and that has probably something to do with why the Red Sox picked me up.”

After posting a 15-8 record with a 4.59 ERA in 31 starts for the A.L. Central Division champion Indians last season, Byrd was an integral part Cleveland’s postseason run in October. He went 2-0 with a 3.60 ERA, including a 7-3 victory over Boston in Game Four of the ALCS at Cleveland. He also won the deciding game of the ALDS against the Yankees at New York.

He has a career record of 104-91 in 330 games (242 starts) with the Mets, Braves, Phillies, Royals, Angels and Indians.

He’s played in some big markets and he’s looking forward to his time in Boston.

“I’ve heard there is no place like Boston when you wear a Red Sox uniform,” he said. “I’m up for the challenge. This is what you play for because you only get so many chances to win it all. Last year was really tough for (Cleveland) and for me to get traded to the team that beat us feels a little weird. But, I can’t wait to get started and give the people in Boston all I’ve got.”

He will be a free agent at the end of the season.

jmcdonal@projo.com