knightni Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 http://www.suntimes.com/sports/baseball/wh...T-sox11.article Just Mark it down: Sox ace is fine WHITE SOX | Cooper delivers message: 'Nothing is wrong with Buehrle' BY JOE COWLEY [email protected] The conspiracy theorists continue to say something must be wrong with Mark Buehrle. That's why White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper went out of his way Thursday to say the team's Opening Day starter is alive and well. He's just not pitching this weekend. With the series finale between the Sox and Minnesota Twins postponed until June 9 because of weather, the Sox had a chance to make a few changes in their starting rotation. The plan coming into the season was to lighten Buehrle's workload as much as possible, especially early on, and they're sticking with that plan. Jose Contreras and Gavin Floyd will be pushed back a day to start today and Saturday, respectively, against the Detroit Tigers. But rather than come back with Buehrle in the series finale Sunday, Javier Vazquez will step in, with Buehrle returning to the mound Monday against Oakland. John Danks will close out the two-game series with the Athletics on Tuesday. A few thoughts went into the decision. ''It keeps everyone out there as close as possible without sitting too long,'' Cooper said. ''And the big thing is Oakland might be more susceptible to lefties, as well as Tampa. This is the best way we figured it out with, No. 1, what's best for the team, and No. 2, what's best for the individual. The matchups have a small part to do with it.'' Buehrle went 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA in two starts against Oakland last season, while Vazquez has a career 6.60 ERA against the A's. And the A's are hitting .204 against left-handers this season, which the Sox hope to take advantage of with Buehrle and Danks. The rotation will remain in that order until an April 21 day off, after which Buehrle and Vazquez likely will switch back. ''We talked to everybody about it, and everyone is fine with it,'' Cooper said. When the topic of Buehrle and some mysterious injury came up, Cooper did his best to quickly squash such talk. ''Nothing is wrong with Buehrle,'' Cooper said. ''I don't know where this started in the spring. Buehrle is fine with a couple of extra days because he can perform on a couple of extra days. ''After this, there is no extra time. Take your rest now. It's what we talked about in the spring. He's still going to get his 33 starts.'' The bottom line is Buehrle has thrown 1,577 2/3 innings since the start of the 2001 season, second in the majors behind Livan Hernandez (1,597 2/3). The Sox invested four more years in the lefty last season, so they will do all they can to protect that investment. Buehrle himself said during spring training that while he felt great, at some point throwing at least 200 innings for seven straight years would catch up with him. Call it preventive medicine by the organization. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reddy Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 so essentially we're doing what dusty baker should have. not a bad move. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
103 mph screwball Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 Good idea. Keep Mark rested. The Sox will need him to pitch deep into the post season and we want him fresh next year to go for the repeat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsidehawkeye Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 I like this move, not only does it give Mark a little extra rest... but also sets up some more favorable match ups for the pitching staff over the week or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RME JICO Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 The 2 Lefty thing is kinda odd though. I thought they wanted to separate the Lefties. Hopefully it works out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeynach Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 What the hell didn't the sox say how they wanted to break up Buerhle and Danks in the rotation becuase they have similar pitch styles. I agreed with that principle dont give them the same guy back to back, weird now they flopped on that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilMonkey Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 Sure, they wanted to break them up. But when a team is batting barely .200 against lefties, throw all you got out there! You can always change the order up again in a week or two with the days off or rained out games yet to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsidehawkeye Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Apr 11, 2008 -> 05:07 PM) Sure, they wanted to break them up. But when a team is batting barely .200 against lefties, throw all you got out there! You can always change the order up again in a week or two with the days off or rained out games yet to come. Yeah, I'd be surprised if Buehrle and Danks are back to back in the order for very long. Who knows, it might only be for this one start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the People's Champ Posted April 11, 2008 Share Posted April 11, 2008 I don't know why this is such a big deal. It's all I've heard about for the past two days. If there is any guy in our rotation that I wouldn't worry about switching up their routine it would be MB. Boy they really hurt for things to talk about when there isn't any games for a few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeynach Posted April 12, 2008 Share Posted April 12, 2008 (edited) QUOTE (Alpha Dog @ Apr 11, 2008 -> 05:07 PM) Sure, they wanted to break them up. But when a team is batting barely .200 against lefties, throw all you got out there! You can always change the order up again in a week or two with the days off or rained out games yet to come. Meanwhile the A's are facing Sabathia right now and teeing off. They have 9 runs and 12 hits against him after 3.1 innings, WOW. Edited April 12, 2008 by joeynach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliSoxFanViaSWside Posted April 13, 2008 Share Posted April 13, 2008 Buehrle went 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA in two starts against Oakland last season, while Vazquez has a career 6.60 ERA against the A's. And the A's are hitting .204 against left-handers this season, which the Sox hope to take advantage of with Buehrle and Danks. The rotation will remain in that order until an April 21 day off, after which Buehrle and Vazquez likely will switch back. Thats for those of you who appear not to have read the article posted and still seem shocked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texsox Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 The whole lefty lefty thing is over rated in my book. These guys are professionals and can adapt quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the People's Champ Posted April 14, 2008 Share Posted April 14, 2008 The whole lefty lefty thing is over rated in my book. These guys are professionals and can adapt quickly. Then what has been our excuse over the past 10+ years? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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