The Sox bullpen is so good and I'm hesitant to fix something that isn't broken but wondering if other people think that Hagen Smith should be our full time high leverage specialist instead of Taylor. Not a knock on Taylor as much as it would give him a permanent role as a closer. From the eye test, it doesn't seem to matter what side of the plate they are on with Smith. And I think we have seen enough to know it's not a fluke. Also his control has been better of late. Just think this would save Taylor's arm.

I vote keep him right where he is for now. Like him as a guy who can come in for multiple innings, which will be valuable in the playoffs.

Heck, for playoffs I'd probably only have 3 starters and carry your best 10 relief arms. So you'll need some guys who can go multiple.

Edited September 9Sep 9 by Bob Sacamano

3 minutes ago, Bob Sacamano said:

I vote keep him right where he is for now. Like him as a guy who can come in for multiple innings, which will be valuable in the playoffs.

Heck, for playoffs I'd probably only have 3 starters and carry your best 10 relief arms. So you'll need some guys who can go multiple.

Agreed. He is seemingly comfortable in his role right now and hasn’t walked the world recently. Why mess that up? More consecutive innings for him in one outing means more potential for a control meltdown. I’d rather see what Thorpe can do as a starter for this season considering he is supposed to have much better control and command.

If they found his role is best used as a guy who can shut down 3ish innings, and his response has been to pepper the strike zone, then I am absolutely all in on that usage.

3 minutes ago, WhiteSox2023 said:

Agreed. He is seemingly comfortable in his role right now and hasn’t walked the world recently. Why mess that up? More consecutive innings for him in one outing means more potential for a control meltdown. I’d rather see what Thorpe can do as a starter for this season considering he is supposed to have much better control and command.

That's how I would look at it for now. I want to see him go back to starting next year, but he seems to have found a niche for now, let him cook.

Let him open for Castillo starts lol

I definitely see what you are saying. Using him as we do now allows for us to shorten games. That is a dangerous weapon in the playoffs

30 minutes ago, Chick Mercedes said:

Let him open for Castillo starts lol

I agree, if they insist on Castillo being a starter (bulk guy inning guy?), then at least give him an opener. Gotta at least try it.

5 minutes ago, Bob Sacamano said:

I agree, if they insist on Castillo being a starter (bulk guy inning guy?), then at least give him an opener. Gotta at least try it.

Back to the role he disliked with Seattle, full circle for Luis.

1 minute ago, Southwest Sider said:

Back to the role he disliked with Seattle, full circle for Luis.

When he starts pitching well without one, he can complain.

48 minutes ago, Colome's Hat said:

I definitely see what you are saying. Using him as we do now allows for us to shorten games. That is a dangerous weapon in the playoffs

That’s why they just need to find a way to make postseason, and the pitching should stabilize (unless Venable shows no urgency still). Say there are 27 innings you have to fill, you can get probably half that by your main relievers

2 hours ago, Chick Mercedes said:

Let him open for Castillo starts lol

I think we should use him now instead of waiting until April. 😁

3 hours ago, Colome's Hat said:

The Sox bullpen is so good and I'm hesitant to fix something that isn't broken but wondering if other people think that Hagen Smith should be our full time high leverage specialist instead of Taylor. Not a knock on Taylor as much as it would give him a permanent role as a closer. From the eye test, it doesn't seem to matter what side of the plate they are on with Smith. And I think we have seen enough to know it's not a fluke. Also his control has been better of late. Just think this would save Taylor's arm.

You are so right about the bullpen, those guys have been the unsung heroes of the second half.

1 hour ago, The Mighty Mite said:

You are so right about the bullpen, those guys have been the unsung heroes of the second half.

It's one of the best bullpens in the AL. And it gives them a real platform in the playoffs.

5 hours ago, JTB said:

I think we should use him now instead of waiting until April. 😁

Love the idea to use Hagen as an opener. Feel like first inning has been a pain for us this series.

So Hagen gets the start tonight. Must see TV for me

59 minutes ago, Ozzie for Manager said:

So Hagen gets the start tonight. Must see TV for me

He will probably only throw 2-3 innings would be my guess unless the pitch count is pretty low

My guess is, this is a classic bullpen game. There is no way on god green's earth that he doesn't line Burke and Martin to start in Cleveland. Guessing Castillo pitches tomorrow, fedde Saturday, and Kay on Sunday