I’ll keep the wrap of last night’s game brief, because there’s obviously a lot of off-the-field stuff to discuss.
– I know it was disappointing seeing Leyson Septimo come in and pathetically waste Axelrod’s great start, but it comes with the territory of having so many inexperienced arms in your bullpen. The main controversy over that series of events, though, was why it was essentially our third south paw coming into the game, while Matt Thornton and Hector Santiago sat comfortably in the ‘pen.
Matt Thornton has been solid this year, as expected. Photo courtesy SSA
My stance on the situation is this: YES, it’s easy to question why Robin brought Septimo in. YES, it’s easy to criticize him for not bringing in the best option on paper. But the fact of the matter is that if you have all of those rookies on the team, you’re going to have to use them in a lot of big situations down the stretch.
Now I know that it seems last night was one that could’ve been avoided, but I feel Robin was trying to save other arms, since Septimo was already in the game from the out he got to end the 7th. It was all lefties coming up, too, and if Septimo is going to be a part of the ball club, he’s going to have to battle through some tough stretches like that. As frustrating as it may be at times throughout the next few weeks, these kids are going to have to be tested, and hopefully it won’t go as poorly as last night too often.
– Dylan Axelrod pitched great, shutting up many of us who have criticized him every time he’s let up a hard-hit ball. He probably earned himself a couple more starts even before Floyd went to the DL today with elbow tendonitis. We’re going to need him to be a solid back-end of the rotation guy for now while everyone else gets healthy.
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With Gavin Floyd landing on the DL for the first time, the question marks on the pitching staff just continue to grow. If we had control and could do what we want to the squad, I’m sure we could agree it’d be nice to add two relievers and one starter. That’s the ideal situation. While I’m not putting that past Kenny Williams, I’m not going to expect three trades.
For the most part, I have been expecting him to make one deal, and now I expect him to make two. With Danks as an unknown as far as if he’s going to help the club down the stretch and nobody knowing exactly how long Floyd will likely be out quite yet, we are left with Sale, Peavy, Quintana, Humber, and Axelrod as the starters who are healthy right now.
It’s time for Humber to step up and take over the number 4 spot (AP Photo/John Smierciak)
It could be worse for the Sox. These injuries could have us down to three-or-so starters we know we can run out there. But thanks to the depth Kenny Williams has amassed, we’ve got five. Although, Humber is yet to prove anything and Axelrod is untested over long stretches in a big league rotation, so I think KW will go out and acquire someone. It may not be a huge pickup like Zack Greinke, but even a consistently solid veteran would be a big help.
Where I am certain a move will be done is the bullpen. Six out of seven guys being rookies just won’t work in a tight playoff race. I know Williams knows this, and is actively pursuing help. We not only need an acquisition, but for Jesse Crain to come back strong, too.
Concerns in the pitching staff are plentiful, let’s just hope they can grind it out and help the Sox win some ball games until help arrives. Well, if help arrives, I guess I should say.