Phillies take calculated chance on Buchholz

Clay Buchholz has a curveball.

It isn’t the best curve in baseball, but it has a history. It helped him early in his major-league career, becoming an elite pitch that helped him toss a no-hitter against the Orioles.

It was there in 2010, when he received Cy Young votes after attaining a 17-7 record with a 2.33 ERA.

It was there in 2013 when, after a host of injuries that derailed most of two seasons, Buchholz started with a flourish, going 9-0 with a 1.71 ERA in his first 12 outings.

And it was there in 2015, helping him to a 3.26 ERA for a Red Sox team thirsty for pitching.

Buchholz throws a four-seam fastball and two-seam fastball, a cutter and a changeup. He used to throw a slider but dropped…