Come October the Sox pitching staff will have to work even harder if they want to go deep into those playoffs. As of now, our starting pitchers don’t have pretty numbers. Here’s what I’m talking about....

 

Mark Buehrle (10-3) 3.86

Freddy Garcia (8-8) 3.18 ERA

Esteban Loaiza (9-5) 4.85 ERA

Jon Garland (7-6) 4.45 ERA

Scott Schoeneweis (6-7) 4.97 ERA

 

Two of our starting pitchers almost have ERA’s above 5. They still have a lot of time to improve, but will need to have some good shutout innings. All we need in the playoffs are 4 starting pitchers and if we look at it now, it looks like Scotty will move into the BP.

 

Anyone besides me believe we should get another SP or can we go all the way with what we have?

Yea I think we need one. I lose hair when Esty and Shoeny pitches...

I don't think Schoeneweis should be starting. He started off great to begin the season but then was struggling and got injured. I don't know if he's just getting tired too easily since he hasn't been a starter in the past or what. If that's the case, then the Sox need to pick up another quality starter. It doesn't have to be a 1 or 2 guy. Just someone that'll go out there and do his job.

I hate to just give up on Schoeneweis, but he has really fizzled since his blistering start to the season. He did have that sore arm earlier and you wonder if that is still somewhat affecting him? Maybe his arm strength isn't there yet? But, Esteban is the one tht needs to buckle down even more. He is still a very good solid pitcher, but needs to change his approach and Ozzie has said it too. I hope we sign Loaiza to a new contract, but at the rate he is going he won't command the kind on money he seems to want.

i think we can go all the way with what we have

i'm comfortable with the rotation, but i'd agree that the starters not named buehrle or garcia need to pick it up.

 

if the sox get to the postseason i'd bet schoney goes back to the pen as a long man, and they split up buehrle and garcia so one of them starts at home and the other on the road. my guess would be buehrle-loaiza at home, garcia-garland on the road.