Post All-Star Rotation Order?

[Buzzkill Pauley]

Not to look ahead of the SURPRISING Tampa Devil Rays of Saint Petersburg, but...

I haven't heard any rumblings about how Farrell plans to arrange the rotation after the All-Star break. Then again, I really don't pay much attention to the Boston sports media circus, either. So whenever some official word is released, post it here.

In the meantime, lets speculate!

First off, Sale is probably starting the All-Star game on regular rest. He won't pitch more than a couple innings, but this also means he'll be unavailable to take the mound in the first game of the second half. I say give him regular rest rather than rush him back. But the break is otherwise long enough that the Sox can order the rotation however they'd prefer.

Second, it's somewhat troublesome to have a MFY twin-bill on 7/16 when the Sox won't have an off-day until 7/27. I don't see any way the Sox can avoid calling up a spot starter, unless EdRo's knee is healed.

Third, it's somewhat arbitrary, but I'm considering EdRo a non-factor here, since he still doesn't have a timetable and is only up to 4 IP/G at AAA. However, three weeks is enough time for him to possibly round into shape and potentially be better than Porcello or Fister, even at 85%.

What I'd do is the following for the next few series:

7/11 All-Star Game (Sale)
7/12 off
7/13 off
7/14 v. MFY (Pomeranz - 6 days rest)
7/15 v. MFY (Fister - 9 days rest)
7/16 v. MFY (Sale - 4 days rest) + MFY (Price 6 days rest)
7/17 v. TOR (Porcello - 8 days rest)
7/18 v. TOR (Velazquez - ?)
7/19 v. TOR (Pomeranz - 4)
7/20 v. TOR (Fister - 4)
7/21 @ LAA (Sale - 4)
7/22 @ LAA (Price - 5)
7/23 @ LAA (Porcello - 5)

It seems really weird to me to have Fister ahead of Porcello, but I think it makes sense.

Fister doesn't have to worry about the MFY's LHH limited power carrying (too much) due to the series being played at Fenway. But also, Porcello has been a gopherball machine with a HR/9 of 1.5 driven by a consistent 1-2 bombs allowed per game rather than scattering them in clumps. And lastly, this sequence sets up EdRo to replace Fister somewhere in late July or early August on regular rest, once his knee is ready.

Kinda sucks to have to bury the reigning AL Cy Young winner as the #5 starter, but there you have it. Hopefully, eight days off will allow Porcello to throw a few bullpens and regain his 2016 sinker.

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

Rodriguez, despite a less than stellar stat line last night for Pawtucket, is very likely to be ready for activation immediately post-ASB. Assuming he doesn't come up to start Sunday's game in St Pete, he'll probably throw again on Sunday for Pawtucket, which would mean he'd be on schedule to go again on Friday, so I'd put him in the spot you have Fister penciled into. Fister could then start one of the games of the twin-bill (I'd push Price off to Monday) and perhaps be shifted to the pen after that, negating any need for Velazquez.

Other than that, I don't see any compelling reason to change anything else you propose.

 

[chrisfont9]

Johnson would be the other spot starter but he's clearly further away than Rodriguez.

 

[amfox1]

What I'd do is the following for the next few series:

7/9 @ TB (Price - 4 days rest)
7/10 off
7/11 All-Star Game (Sale)
7/12 off
7/13 off
7/14 v. MFY (Price - 4)
7/15 v. MFY (Porcello - 6)
7/16 v. MFY (Sale - 4) + MFY (Fister - 10)
7/17 v. TOR (Pomeranz - 9)
7/18 v. TOR (Rodriguez - 8)
7/19 v. TOR (Price - 4)
7/20 v. TOR (Porcello - 4)
7/21 @ LAA (Sale - 4)
7/22 @ LAA (Pomeranz - 4)
7/23 @ LAA (Rodriguez - 4)

I'd want to keep Price on a five-day schedule as he continues to build arm strength.

After 7/16, Fister heads to the bullpen, Robby Scott goes to AAA and Rodriguez gets activated.

Fister and Pomeranz can throw during the break, Rodriguez throws for the brass between the game on the 9th and his activation.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

I'd like to see Rodriguez added for the Double Header just because if it turns out that he isn't ready, he can go back to Pawtucket on assignment and have just been up as the 26th guy. No muss, no fuss on the rest of the roster. And if he works out, then that's not a bad problem to have.

 

[PaulinMyrBch]

Gonna be in town that week. Hoping the Sun 8pm game isn't the 6th pitcher game. I think that will be the best shot at a reasonably priced Yankee ticket so we're targeting that one. Gate E has been good to us, so I'm tuned into potential rotation before we make plans on which game.

 

[tims4wins]

I don't see them pitching Sale on 4 days rest even though he will only pitch 2 innings in the ASG. I think it is far more likely they give him an extra day or two.

 

[Curt S Loew]

Gonna be in town that week. Hoping the Sun 8pm game isn't the 6th pitcher game. I think that will be the best shot at a reasonably priced Yankee ticket so we're targeting that one. Gate E has been good to us, so I'm tuned into potential rotation before we make plans on which game.

They're selling IF GS right now for 22 bucks for Sunday night.
http://m.mlb.com/redsox/tickets/offers/final-vote-flash?partnerId=ed-11678925-1002543903

edit - And looks like they're gone right after I posted.

 

[Red(s)HawksFan]

I don't see them pitching Sale on 4 days rest even though he will only pitch 2 innings in the ASG. I think it is far more likely they give him an extra day or two.

If the All-Star game didn't exist, Sale's next day to pitch after today would be Tuesday. Since he's only going to throw a maximum of 2 innings (probably 30-40 pitches), I see no reason not to keep him on schedule to pitch again on Sunday (7/16). Considering the ASG appearance will be little more than a glorified bullpen session (which he'd be throwing anyway), it's still effectively a 9 day break for him.

 

[tims4wins]

If the All-Star game didn't exist, Sale's next day to pitch after today would be Tuesday. Since he's only going to throw a maximum of 2 innings (probably 30-40 pitches), I see no reason not to keep him on schedule to pitch again on Sunday (7/16). Considering the ASG appearance will be little more than a glorified bullpen session (which he'd be throwing anyway), it's still effectively a 9 day break for him.

Not saying it is how I would handle it. Just a guess based on history.

 

[PaulinMyrBch]

They're selling IF GS right now for 22 bucks for Sunday night.
http://m.mlb.com/redsox/tickets/offers/final-vote-flash?partnerId=ed-11678925-1002543903

edit - And looks like they're gone right after I posted.

Thanks for checking. I'm going to wait to see who is pitching before we pull the trigger.

 

[joe dokes]

If the All-Star game didn't exist, Sale's next day to pitch after today would be Tuesday. Since he's only going to throw a maximum of 2 innings (probably 30-40 pitches), I see no reason not to keep him on schedule to pitch again on Sunday (7/16). Considering the ASG appearance will be little more than a glorified bullpen session (which he'd be throwing anyway), it's still effectively a 9 day break for him.

I think I heard Farrell on the radio saying that he hoped Sale only pitched 1 inning. I assume "hope" means "I told Tito I was going to hide his blood thinners if Sale went out for a 2nd inning."

 

[Curt S Loew]

Thanks for checking. I'm going to wait to see who is pitching before we pull the trigger.

I got the e-mail this morning from the Sox. They didn't last long.

 

[Infield Infidel]

Sale is the best bet to go deep into a game, so it makes sense to start him on doubleheader day on normal rest. There's a higher chance the bullpen is overtaxed if Sale doesn't start one end of the doubleheader, and there isn't a day off any time soon after

 

[PaulinMyrBch]

Sale is the best bet to go deep into a game, so it makes sense to start him on doubleheader day on normal rest. There's a higher chance the bullpen is overtaxed if Sale doesn't start one end of the doubleheader, and there isn't a day off any time soon after

Do you think there is any chance for TV reasons that the teams would put the better pitching matchup in the 8pm national game slot? I would think you'd want to maximize your chances to win and put the DH pitchers where ever you see fit, but I'm hoping for one of Sale/Price in that 8 PM game. That would be ideal. We've got flexibility, but I'd rather see a night game.

 

[Buzzkill Pauley]

Do you think there is any chance for TV reasons that the teams would put the better pitching matchup in the 8pm national game slot? I would think you'd want to maximize your chances to win and put the DH pitchers where ever you see fit, but I'm hoping for one of Sale/Price in that 8 PM game. That would be ideal. We've got flexibility, but I'd rather see a night game.

I don't think Farrell will do anything for TV reasons, although also I don't think Werner would be above suggesting something of the sort.

I personally expect we'll see Sale in the day game of the double header not only for the reasons Infield Infidel mentioned, but also because the Paw Sox play in Syracuse with a 1:05 start. So the team can't even count on a fresh Workman or Taylor available for a run up I-95, if the afternoon starter throws a lemon and only lasts 3 innings or so.

With the other starters, you just never can bank on that, especially against a homer happy team in the day at Fenway.

 

[Infield Infidel]

I think one way Sale could pitch the nightcap is if they look at the day/night splits of the other starter and see that the other starter is much better during the day. Sale is marginally better during the day this year but he's been excellent day or night.

 

[joe dokes]

I don't think Farrell will do anything for TV reasons, although also I don't think Werner would be above suggesting something of the sort.

I personally expect we'll see Sale in the day game of the double header not only for the reasons Infield Infidel mentioned, but also because the Paw Sox play in Syracuse with a 1:05 start. So the team can't even count on a fresh Workman or Taylor available for a run up I-95, if the afternoon starter throws a lemon and only lasts 3 innings or so.

With the other starters, you just never can bank on that, especially against a homer happy team in the day at Fenway.

They get to add a 26th player for the day. So they can call up the extra pitcher before he gets used in Pawtucket.

 

[DeadlySplitter]

Ian Browne‏Verified account @IanMBrowne 4m4 minutes ago
The @RedSox will come out of AS break with Pomeranz, Sale, Porcello and Price against the Yankees.

 

[Lose Remerswaal]

Hmmm. That means Fister on the 17th against Toronto and Mr. X (Rodriguez?) on the 18th against Toronto?

 

[uk_sox_fan]

ERod is pitching today in Pawtucket. If things go well (i.e. Eck doesn't throw up in his mouth) he would be available anytime after the Break. If he needs one more tuneup it would be on the 14th and he'd be available from the 19th on. That would necessitate another spot starter (besides Fister who would pitch the 17th) on the 18th so let's hope ERod does well today against the Bisons. Then it would be:

7/14 v. MFY (Pomeranz - 6)
7/15 v. MFY (Sale - 3*)
7/16 v. MFY (Porcello - 7) + MFY (Price - 6)
7/17 v. TOR (Rodriguez - 7)
7/18 v. TOR (Fister - 11)
7/19 v. TOR (Pomeranz - 4)
7/20 v. TOR (Sale - 4)
7/21 @ LAA (Porcello - 4)
7/22 @ LAA (Price - 5)
7/23 @ LAA (Rodriguez - 5)

 

[C4CRVT]

I made plans 2 weeks ago for the game on the 15th. Hopefully the weather cooperates. I'd been dialing down my expectations this week thinking I'd dropped a bunch of cash to watch Fister get Judged.

 

[Sin Duda]

ERod is pitching today in Pawtucket. If things go well (i.e. Eck doesn't throw up in his mouth) he would be available anytime after the Break. If he needs one more tuneup it would be on the 14th and he'd be available from the 19th on. That would necessitate another spot starter (besides Fister who would pitch the 17th) on the 18th so let's hope ERod does well today against the Bisons. Then it would be:

7/14 v. MFY (Pomeranz - 6)
7/15 v. MFY (Sale - 3*)
7/16 v. MFY (Porcello - 7) + MFY (Price - 6)
7/17 v. TOR (Rodriguez - 7)
7/18 v. TOR (Fister - 11)
7/19 v. TOR (Pomeranz - 4)
7/20 v. TOR (Sale - 4)
7/21 @ LAA (Porcello - 4)
7/22 @ LAA (Price - 5)
7/23 @ LAA (Rodriguez - 5)

From the Mike Monaco recap article: In his third rehab start - and his second with Pawtucket - Rodriguez cruised through six innings before allowing a run with one out in the seventh. In total, Rodriguez fanned seven over his 6.1 frames of one-run ball. The 24-year old, who walked five in four innings five days ago in a rehab outing, didn't walk a Bison and generated eight swings-and-misses. With a fastball that sat comfortably and consistently between 92 and 93 MPH and occasionally climbed higher, Rodriguez threw 61 of his 95 pitches for strikes (64% - in line with his big-league strike rate of 63.5% in 2017).