LHP Chris Sale has had his next start pushed back from Friday to Saturday, an extra day of rest from the original plan. The Sox were thinking about throwing Sale on short rest after an 118-pitch outing in Monday’s no-decision against Cleveland, but now he will work on regular rest.
LHP Hector Santiago will make the Wednesday start against the Indians, pushing back Jake Peavy to Thursday — the opening game of the Rays series. Cleveland has a 15-35 record against southpaws this season, so it does make sense from a matchup standpoint.
RHP Addison Reed remains the closer even though LHP Donnie Veal earned his first save of the season Monday. Using Veal and LHP Matt Thornton late in the win over Cleveland was simply about matchups. “Again, in the right situation, it’s Reeder,” Ventura said. “This (Cleveland) team’s a little different because they’re so left-handed dominant. I still trust him. It’s just I want him to have the right matchups when he’s going in there.”
LHP Jose Quintana changed roles a bit in the Tuesday loss, as manager Robin Ventura said that it would be all hands on deck. That meant Quintana pitched in from the bullpen, going two-thirds of an inning. He retired both batters he faced on a total of four pitches. It doesn’t mess up his spot in the rotation necessarily, with Quintana likely starting Sunday against the Rays and getting some extra rest.
DH Adam Dunn followed up his two-homer game Monday with an 0-for-3, three-strikeout game Tuesday, but he’s hoping his latest adjustments will keep the slumps much shorter than they have been over the last month. “(Hitting coach Jeff Manto) had a couple of good suggestions,” Dunn said. The biggest recommendation? Having Dunn watch less video. “It’s one of those fine lines where you have to really police and make sure these guys aren’t going into the video room just to watch themselves hit,” Manto said. “Some guys, they reinforce bad thoughts and stuff like that. So it’s a pretty delicate balance. I’m one of those guys who shies away from (video) more than go to it. I’d rather have the guys feel what they’re doing rather than watching for mechanics all the time.”
OF Dewayne Wise did not play in the Tuesday loss to Cleveland, but manager Robin Ventura might go back to him frequently during the rest of the current homestand, with one game left against the Indians and four with the Rays. Wise is hitting .364 (24-for-66) with three homers and 10 RBI at U.S. Cellular Field, but Ventura opted to go with the outfield of Dayan Viciedo, Alejandro De Aza and Alex Rios the past two games.
LHP Donnie Veal earned his first save of the season Monday, but manager Robin Ventura made sure to put any closer controversy to rest. Ventura said Tuesday that RHP Addison Reed, who leads the team with 28 saves, remains the closer. Using Veal and LHP Matt Thornton late in the win over Cleveland was simply about matchups. “Again, in the right situation, it’s Reeder,” Ventura said. “This (Cleveland) team’s a little different because they’re so left-handed dominant. I still trust him. It’s just I want him to have the right matchups when he’s going in there.”
