Mark Buehrle to start tonight
I need some help. I thought I had this rotation thing all squared away. Then I read this Mark Gonzales column which says that Gavin Floyd will go on short rest Saturday against the Royals so that he can throw the final game of the Twins series next week. That's a lot to digest, so here's a visual of how I thought the rotation would look down the stretch.
Monday, September 15 6:05 PM CDT @ NYY Buehrle Tuesday, September 16 6:05 PM CDT @ NYY Floyd Wednesday, September 17 6:05 PM CDT @ NYY Richard Thursday, September 18 6:05 PM CDT @ NYY Vazquez* Friday, September 19 7:10 PM CDT @ KC Danks Saturday, September 20 6:10 PM CDT @ KC Buehrle Sunday, September 21 1:10 PM CDT @ KC Floyd Monday, September 22 OFF --- Tuesday, September 23 7:10 PM CDT @ MIN Vazquez Wednesday, September 24 7:10 PM CDT @ MIN Danks Thursday, September 25 7:10 PM CDT @ MIN Buhrle Friday, September 26 7:11 PM CDT CLE Floyd Saturday, September 27 6:05 PM CDT CLE Vazquez* Sunday, September 28 1:05 PM CDT CLE Danks* Monday, September 29? TBA DET Buehrle*
With the exception of the doubleheader-induced short rest for Vazquez last night, all of the starters would stay on regular rest until after the Twins series, when a more informed decision could have been made.
Now the rotation looks like this.Monday, September 15 6:05 PM CDT @ NYY Buehrle Tuesday, September 16 6:05 PM CDT @ NYY Floyd Wednesday, September 17 6:05 PM CDT @ NYY Richard Thursday, September 18 6:05 PM CDT @ NYY Vazquez* Friday, September 19 7:10 PM CDT @ KC Buehrle* Saturday, September 20 6:10 PM CDT @ KC Floyd* Sunday, September 21 1:10 PM CDT @ KC Danks Monday, September 22 OFF --- Tuesday, September 23 7:10 PM CDT @ MIN Vazquez Wednesday, September 24 7:10 PM CDT @ MIN Buehrle Thursday, September 25 7:10 PM CDT @ MIN Floyd Friday, September 26 7:11 PM CDT CLE Danks Saturday, September 27 6:05 PM CDT CLE Vazquez* Sunday, September 28 1:05 PM CDT CLE Buehrle* Monday, September 29? TBA DET Floyd*
My take is that the Sox have decided to avoid any scenario that has John Danks, who has struggled a bit in the second half but appeared stronger in his last two outings, throwing on short rest. But in doing so, they've added two extra short-rest starts from their starters. As we saw last night, with Javier Vazquez flying open and not finishing his pitches in his shortest outing of the season, pitching on short rest can yield some undesirable results. I question how the second rotation is better than the first, even if it puts less strain on our prized young arm.