When Buchholz finally returns from his DL slot, why not put Dempster in the bullpen to fortify the RHR cadre?
The Japanese Duo of Koji Uehara as closer and Junichi Tazawa as setup man has performed yeoman service and the Sox pen is well-stocked with lefties [Thornton/Breslow/Morales], but with the promising, but green, righties, De La Rosa and Workman, the Sox lack a veteran righty to back up The Koji and Junichi Show.
And, yes, Dempster hasn’t pitched as a reliever since 2007, he rang up 85 SVs from 2005-2007 for the Cubs and in 2006 he led the NL with 64 Games Finished. But, at 26, he has already clocked 151.2 innings this season and the best use of his remaining gas in the tank may be to be a spot or situational RHR.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dempsry01.shtml
Buchholz, with his velocity picking up and his secondary stuff jelling, will make his next start Wednesday for the PawSox, as they open up the first round of their playoffs on the road. Farrell said Buchholz will throw around 70 pitches or four-to-five innings.
"“I think more than anything he’s starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel,”"
Current rotation order:
- 1. J. Lester
- 2. J. Peavy
- 3. R. Dempster
- 4. F. Doubront
- 5. J. Lackey
Since the Red Sox have a scheduled off day on Monday, September 9th and with Buchholz pitching on Thursday, it will give him five days rest leading up to a Tuesday start to kick off a three-game set against Tampa Bay–the final meeting of the teams this season.
When Buchholz [9-0, 1.71] returns, he will likely resume the #1 slot and Dempster would be the odd man out with Doubront balancing the rotation as a second LHP.
- 1. C. Buchholz [9-0]
- 2. J. Lester [12-8]
- 3. J. Peavy [3-1]
- 4. F. Doubront [10-6]
- 5. J. Lackey [12-8]
Recall: Cherington passed on Kevin Gregg [Cubs, 3.17 ERA, 28 SVs] and Matt Lindstrom [White Sox, .583 OPS], and also traded Mark Melancon, who has blossomed with the Pirates [10 SVs, 0.88 ERA].
If Dempster becomes the odd man out of the rotation, “The PENSTER” would be a perfect fit in the pen.
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