Sort of a
State of the Sox post.
Figured I'd copy the game list/rotation post from the 2023 Injury thread, but it could easily have gone into the 2023 Bullpen or various Trade threads as well. I think here though, so we can track how this pivotal stretch unfolds, since it will likely turn on starter efforts.
Starter Scrum
For posterity, we currently have Sale, Houck, and Whitlock, nominal starters all, on the IL, with Sale/Houck due back mid-August if all goes well, and Whitlock a great big unknown. Could be sooner, could be later. It appears until we get a SP from a trade or a IL-return, we're using 1) Bello, 2) Paxton, 3) Crawford, 4) an opener+Pivetta, and 5) a bullpen/scratch starter approach.
40-man depth for dedicated starters is thin, with Murphy/Walter already called up as longish-men. Murphy's been going every 4 days or so for 2-3 innings, and hasn't pitched post-ASB. Walter's use isn't as predictable, but he threw 96 pitches on 6-22. Winckowski's use is more frequent than either, but at this point he's best thought of as a 2 inning guy.
But apparently no one (except maybe Walter?) is stretched out and ready to step in as a starter. The last emergency call-up type on the 40 was Jake Faria. Bryan Mata is the only 40 man pitcher not called up thus far, but he has been injured and last pitched in May - so it's not like he can be pressed into a ML multiple inning role. But let's say we have an open 40 man slot - is there anyone in the org we can call up to help? Drohan? Barraclough? A project pitcher?
Speaking of the 40 man, notably, Schreiber, Sale, and Story are all on the 60-day IL list and would bump a current player off the 40 man when they return.
Guys looking for chairs when the music stops could include: Pablo Reyes/Yu Chang (likely one on Story's return), Jorge Alfaro (when McGuire returns). For pitchers, Corey Kluber (infamously ineffective and rehabbing), Taylor Scott and Jake Faria (emergency call-up types). Which is 3. Others like Bernardino and Jaques seem to be pitching well enough to stick, but could be cut for a superior player returning.
Meanwhile, Caleb Ort has been promoted to the Ryan Brasier Chair of Bullpen Binkiedom. He has invited guest-speaker Kiké Hernandez to give the annual "When it's time, Nomar, it's time" address.
Post-Season Aspirations?
WC Standings as of today: Tampa, Min, Tex, are division leaders. WC scrum is Baltimore, Toronto, Houston, NYY, Boston, LAA. Boston is 2 out from the last WC spot and going forward has to play better than 2 of those 6 teams. 68 games left in the season.
The Actual Games, Usage, and Roster Moves:
Greens are wins, Reds are losses, indents are notes and roster moves. Innings are 1(ish) with starter and significant long/short appearances noted.
July 14 @ Cubs Bello - Bello (6), Winckowski, Bernardino, Scott, Jansen (.1).
July 15 @ Cubs Paxton - Paxton (3), Scott, Rodriguez, Jaques, Walter (2).
Scott DFA'd, Jake Faria up from AAA, stretched out as a starter, last pitched 7/5.
July 16 @ Cubs Crawford - Crawford (6), Jacques, Faria (2 - 65 pitches).
Faria DFA'd, Bleier off the IL
July 17 @ A’s Bullpen/Pivetta - Bernardino (2), Pivetta (6), Martin
July 18 @ A’s Bullpen
July 19 @ A’s Bello
July 21 vs NYM Paxton
(Note: Schreiber and Bleier possible return?)
July 22 vs NYM Crawford
July 23 vs NYM Bullpen/Pivetta
July 25 vs ATL Bello
July 26 vs ATL Paxton
July 28 @ SF Crawford
July 29 @ SF Bullpen/Pivetta
July 30 @ SF Bello
Aug 1 @ SEA Paxton
(Note: Trade Deadline)
Aug 2 @ SEA Crawford
Aug 4 vs TOR Bullpen/Pivetta
Aug 5 vs TOR Bello
Aug 6 vs TOR Paxton
Aug 7 vs KC Crawford
Aug 8 vs KC Bullpen
Aug 9 vs KC Bullpen/Pivetta
Aug 10 vs KC Bello
Aug 11 vs DET Paxton
Aug 12 vs DET Crawford
Aug 13 vs DET Bullpen/Pivetta
(Note: Story, Sale, Houck in "mid august" possible return?)
Aug 15 @ WSN
Aug 16 @ WSN
Aug 17 @ WSN
(Note: the Gauntlet starts)
Aug 18 @ NYY
Aug 19 @ NYY
Aug 20 @ NYY
Aug 21 @ HOU
Aug 22 @ HOU
Aug 23 @ HOU
Aug 24 @ HOU
Aug 25 vs LAD
Aug 26 vs LAD
Aug 27 vs LAD
Aug 28 vs HOU
Aug 29 vs HOU
Aug 30 vs HOU
