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September 28, 2011

Red Sox On Hunt For Pitcher To Start Possible Tie-Breaker

The most surreal aspect of the Red Sox's September slump and subsequent fight for the wild card spot is the fact that Theo Epstein is exploring a trade for a pitcher to start a possible tiebreaker game on Thursday evening. If the Red Sox and Rays both win or both lose tonight, they will play a do-or-die game in Tampa Bay, beginning at 4 PM tomorrow. The winner will begin the ALDS on Friday night in either Detroit or Texas.

Ken Rosenthal reports that Kansas City lefty Bruce Chen is one candidate. Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors mentions Chien-Ming Wang (Nationals), Rodrigo Lopez (Cubs), and Aaron Harang (Padres) as possibilities.

Adding to the insanity*, the Red Sox would most likely have to make the deal before knowing if a game on Thursday would be necessary, and any new pitcher would not be eligible for the postseason roster.

* It's insane, but it also shows that the team will explore any and every possibility, however unorthodox and/or costly - in a trade and any potential fall-out with John Lackey or Tim Wakefield, who might otherwise get the start on short rest -- it might be. That determination and open-mindedness is an admirable trait.

Rob Bradford (WEEI) says the team might activate Clay Buchholz, who was originally scheduled to fly back to Fort Myers and pitch in an Instructional League game today. Buchholz, who has not pitched since June 16, is still with the team.
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9 comments:

  1. BenjaminSeptember 28, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    and any new pitcher would not be eligible for the postseason roster

    Unless they play shenanigans with the DL.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nick SincereSeptember 28, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    I wonder what the % chance to make the playoffs is now for the Sox and Rays?

    ReplyDelete
  3. JimSeptember 28, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    Here's another Bigelow tea moment: out of curiousity, I checked one of those distance calculators to see what's the longer road trip from St. Pete--Dallas or Detroit. It's roughly the same.

    ReplyDelete
  4. allanSeptember 28, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    I wonder what the % chance to make the playoffs is now for the Sox and Rays?

    Go to Cool Standings or Baseball Prospectus.

    ReplyDelete
  5. allanSeptember 28, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    SoSHer glennhoffmania:
    "I'm sitting here reading this thread and I started laughing. Not at any poster or any idea, just in general. Maybe it's because I just gave blood and my brain isn't getting enough oxygen. But the idea that this team, with all of talent in the world on paper, that dominated the league for four months, may have to rely on Bruce Chen to make the playoffs is fucking astounding."

    ***

    Indeed.

    ReplyDelete
  6. BenjaminSeptember 28, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    By the way, neat game last night in Arizona.

    ReplyDelete
  7. 9caseySeptember 28, 2011 at 11:53 AM

    I cant see them signing someone. If they win tonight give the ball to Lackey and tell him to redeem his season . Fuck Bruce Chen I still want a Red Sox on the mound in that game someone who was here during the shit times and the good times. Someone who helped put us in this situation, And I can think of no one better than Lackey......

    ReplyDelete
  8. allanSeptember 28, 2011 at 12:40 PM

    Even if they grab a noob to start on Thursday, Lackey will likely start the ALDS. So he will get to redeem himself anyway.

    ReplyDelete
  9. allanSeptember 28, 2011 at 12:43 PM

    By the way, neat game last night in Arizona.

    HOLY SHIT! ... And the Snakes began the bottom of the 10th with 2 outs?!?!?!?!?

    HO. LEE. SHIT!

    ReplyDelete