So last night the Sox, knowing that the rain was coming, decided not to waste a Josh Beckett start in what could be a called game depending how quick the rain got here. Instead they opted to pitch September call up Michael Bowden. Bowden then proceeded to give up seven runs in his three innings of work (four in the first). He was followed by two guys I’ve never heard of and then Manny Delcarmen (who gave up no runs, shocking).
My headline being I like it and I don’t is for this reason; I love the fact that Francona knew this game could get called at any minute so why not rest a lot of guys. I don’t like it for the reason of, you’re trying to get hot now and carry that momentum into the post season. After dropping three straight over the weekend and handing New York the division without a fight, the doormat Blue Jays were the next best thing to having Baltimore come to town.
I like the getting all the young guys into the game, make sure no one from your post season roster gets hurt but at the same time don’t you want some momentum to ride into the post season? With rain expected tomorrow and this weekend are you going to do the same thing with your pitchers and line up and limp into the playoffs after dropping series to Toronto and cellar dweller Cleveland.
How about we take a page from Kevin Youkilis (two homers last night) and pretend that these games matter. Sure we’re getting the rotation set for the playoffs but they’ll be awful short playoffs if the team is playing crappy into the post season. Get hot now because you’ll need it heading to California.
