POLL: Who’s the ace?

Midway through the season, of the four starters having made at least 12 starts, who should be considered the 2008 Red Sox’ de facto ace?

• Josh Beckett, postseason stud, and his rotation-leading 1.11 WHIP.

  69% of all votes

• Jon Lester, who leads the rotation in ERA and has a no-hitter on his resume.

  19% of all votes

• Daisuke Matsuzaka, who leads the team in wins with 8 against only one loss.

  8% of all votes

• Tim Wakefield, who is second among Red Sox starters in innings pitched, strikeouts, WHIP and BAA.

  4% of all votes

It’s a pretty good problem to have, don’t you think? In related pitching news, the Red Sox are giving heavy consideration to promoting Clay Buchholz and sending Justin Masterson down for the Yankees game Sunday. A must-do, I think.