Time For Young Blood To Run
Ok, I’m tired of the “protection” clause. I’m not holding back on this one. Seldom do I want to criticize a manager or organization, but I think the numbers, performance and healthy-ness of the Sox pitchers just screams to give the young guys the ball. From John Papelbon, to Craig Hansen and Manny Delcarmen. Their young but they’ve performed, thus far, than most of the pitchers the Sox have had on the roster all season long.
Francona tried and tried with Foulke, costing us valuable games early in the season. He tried with Embree who’s been washed up since spring training. He continues to bring Timlin in during the game with runners on (no one needs to be a rocket scientist to figure this one out). Schilling was slammed around more than a college rugby player in the start of the season and we lost several valuable games then.
Now, we have Wells, Clement, Schilling, Wakefield and Arroyo as our starting five. In the bullpen we have Timlin, and … well, Timlin really if we don’t want to use the young guys unless they are absolutely protected beyond all precautions. So that means each starter has to basically make it through the entire 8th inning because Timlin shouldn’t be brought in with men on base… You know what I say? Realize the talent you have and tools you’ve got, and use them. Shorten the game. You have Papelbon who’s been tremendously resourceful and Hansen who hasn’t had a pro-run scored on him yet (of course that will change, but lets test the streak anyway). Using those guys could be imperative for a post-season run. Let Timlin be the closer and let those guys build the bridge, as Shawn would say.