A Schilling for your thoughts, Part III
Jun 20th, 2007 by Bill Burt
Now that the Red Sox have somewhat settled down from their demise, winning four of five, we can talk sensibly.
The lineup, including and especially leadoff, appears to be a concern moving forward, but the Red Sox starting pitching is too good for this team to fall apart. Or at least it appears that way.
But Curt Schilling’s shoulder — he will have an MRI tomorrow — is something to be concerned about. He is a No. 2 or No. 3 starter, and those pitchers don’t grow on trees or in the minors.
Giving Schilling a two-start respite, at least, is an interesting dilemma.
Who replaces him?:
Kason Gabbard, Pawtucket.
Positives: He is 4-1 over his last 10 starts, not allowing more than 4 runs in any of those starts, posting a 2.91 ERA. He is a lefty, which is always a plus. And he was steady in one start with the Sox, allowing 2 runs over five innings on May 20 against the Braves.
Negatives: Not many, if any. He has averaged less than six innings per start over the stretch in Pawtucket.
Kyle Snyder, Boston.
Positives: Other than three consecutive shaky performances in the bullpen in early to mid-June, he has been rock solid and earned a role with the team. He has been bred as a starter, albeit an average one (three good ones and three bad ones for Sox in 2006). With Joel Pineiro pitching OK in the pen, the Sox have some leeway to give him a shot … Maybe he would be good or even better.
Negatives: He has been good in his role, why change it … He is a 5-inning starter and it might take time to get him even to that point, which the Sox don’t have.
Jon Lester, Pawtucket.
Positives: Maybe it’s time to finally get him here … He looked very good in his last outing, allowing two runs over seven innings last Friday (He is slated to pitch tonight) … His walks are down a bit from last year’s percentage (4.5 to about 2.6 per game) … Like Gabbard, having a lefty starter is a plus.
Negatives: Sox don’t want to rush him back, pointing toward July 1 or All-Star break … They’d like to get him a little more consistent, at 7 innings per outing a few starts in a row.
Devern Hansack, Pawtucket.
Positives: Might be the hottest pitcher of all the options … He has allowed only six earned runs over his last four outings, and has 23 Ks in last 24 innings … He’s 29 and as ready as he’ll ever be.
Negatives: Really don’t know if there are any.
It’s a tough decision, though a good one to have.
It says here Gabbard or Hansack would be the best short-term solution. Both have earned it. With Lester being choice No. 3. But either way, Sox would probably get a decent short-term replacement.
Let me know what your choice would be and why?
6 reader comments to “A Schilling for your thoughts, Part III”
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1Nahsua said:
I’d like to see Hansack get the start(s). As you mentioned “he’s the hottest pitcher so far”, has 23 Ks in the last 24 innings. Want to see him pitch again, hopefully it’ll be a good show. Granted his last start wasn’t that good, but still would like to give him another start or two. Besides, the weather’s warmer and I’m sure he’ll pitch better this time out. If not Hansack, then Kason Gabbard would get my nod for the start(s). He was rather impressive in his last big league start.
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3s1c said:
My vote is for Gabbard over Lester as he seems to go deeper into games. Hansack has yet to show me that he can perform at the major league level, and no I have not forgotton about the no hit 5 inning game in the rain last year.
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4Steve said:
Well I like Hansack but he got a lot of strike outs from guys chasing his off speed pitches outside the strike zone. Most big league hitters don’t chase pitches like that. I’d like to see his control get better with the big club, but I guess if he’s killing the minor league guys so he has to move up.
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5David said:
Clay Buchholz, from the Sea Dogs. In 13 starts, he has whiffed a hundred in just 74 innings, giving up 48 hits and 18 walks while recording a 1.82 era. Scouts love his three plus pitches, his stats are phenomenal. This kid has surpassed Lester as the Sox top pitching prospect and I’d love to see him get a chance in Boston either with these two starts or later this season.
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6Alex said:
I think it should be Gabbard. Much though I love Devern Hansack, I don’t think he has what it takes long-term, whereas Kason actually might; I’d like to give him some more major league time to find out.
I also think, though, that this is a decision a lot of teams would be thrilled to have. I’d be happy with any of these guys.
