Porcello ties bow on Cy Young-worthy season

BOSTON — It’s David Ortiz’s final regular-season series of his career this weekend at Fenway Park, but Rick Porcello, the right-hander who started for the Red Sox on Friday night in a 5-3 win over the Blue Jays, is making his own pitch for attention.

Porcello has been Boston’s best starter this season, and by all rights he should be out there on the mound on Thursday when his club opens its American League Division Series against the Indians.

David Price has the big contract, but Porcello has the big numbers. He finished the season at 22-4 with the most wins in the Major Leagues. He was 13-1 at home.

On Friday, Porcello pitched six innings, allowing three runs on eight hits, including Jose Bautista’s two-run homer over the Green Monster, but wasn’t around to earn the decision. He walked two and whiffed six, his possible AL Cy Young Award-winning season concluding with a 3.15 ERA.

The victory was fueled by a two-run homer from Ortiz, who was unequivocal about the job Porcello has done this season.

“He’s the Cy Young, man, he’s the Cy Young, no doubt,” Big Papi said. “You can put it down like that. What he’s been doing this season, his numbers speak for themselves.”

Not only that, but the stars and the rotation all seem to be in alignment for Porcello to open the playoffs, with Price slated to start here to close the regular season on Sunday.

Manager John Farrell has four postseason starters in Porcello, Price, Clay Buchholz and Eduardo Rodriguez, although not necessarily in that order.

“There are a number of things that are still in the balance here,” Farrell said. “And we’ll get more clarity once we get through Sunday. There’s roster decisions …

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