I hope I'm wrong but I'm not convinced they won't send Bello back to Worcester to make room for Paxton.
He did a much better job of throwing strikes early in the count after the first inning. Also, I need to check but it felt like he was much more affective in the top of the zone with the four seam. His four seam and sinker really played well off of each other.
Probably going out on a limb at this point, but Sale has been looking good (not great vintage Sale) enough to pair with Bello as a combo good enough to carry a team with the bullpen and offense into the playoffs. Sale's season-long health has been questionable even before his extension so the rotation still has a lot of "ifs". BUT IF the back end of the rotation (I'm still guessing Paxton, Kluber and Pivetta) can couple up with Houck, Whitlock and Crawford on a regular basis with Winchowski staying even close to as successful as he's been in his role... I think it turns out to be a very strong staff that could go far in the playoffs.
Bringing this back to Bello specifically, this is a super interesting time for the team. They can yo-yo Bello because he has options and in the short term that makes sense. But as they get closer to the playoffs, the urgency to have TOP END starting surpasses the depth approach in effect now. As you say, Bello-Sale-?? (possibly Paxton based on past performance?) plus a deep if not star-studded lineup is a threat.
