If the Chicago White Sox were hoping to coast into the postseason with their starting rotation intact, Tuesday delivered a rude wake-up call.
Sean Burke, who has been Chicago’s ace for much of the season, was rocked in a complete collapse against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He lasted just 1.1 innings, allowed eight hits and seven runs, and never really found a way to stop the bleeding. The contact off Burke was loud from the start, and his stuff looked off across the board.
His fastball velocity was down some, his curveball wasn’t snapping the way it has for much of the year, and his command was shaky. That’s the kind of outing that doesn’t just sting in the moment - it raises bigger questions about where this rotation stands with the regular season winding down.
And Burke is hardly alone.
Davis Martin and Anthony Kay, both of whom were dependable early in the season, have flattened out while pushing past their career highs in innings. That kind of workload can show up fast this time of year.
Veteran Luis Castillo, meanwhile, has been a major disappointment. Put it all together, and the White Sox suddenly have a rotation that looks worn down instead of sharpened for October.
That leaves Chicago in a tricky spot with Burke. He clearly needs a break, but there’s no simple fix for replacing him. The most realistic move may be to ease off his workload for now and try to get him right before the postseason arrives.
The bigger issue is that the White Sox have arms sitting in the system who look ready to help, yet haven’t been brought up. Drew Thorpe has already made nine rehab starts in the minors while finishing his recovery from Tommy John surgery, and at this point the question is why he’s still there.
He has looked ready for weeks. Over his last seven starts, Thorpe has posted a 2.20 ERA.
On Tuesday night in Charlotte, he worked five scoreless innings, showing off a changeup that has been excellent and command that has been elite. He’s now at 24.2 innings, with 19 hits, seven earned runs, four walks, 22 strikeouts, a 2.55 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP for Triple-A Charlotte.
Sunday in St. Louis is one to watch, since @scottmerkin noted Thorpe could line up there if the #WhiteSox give starters an extra day.
David Sandlin and Noah Schultz are also throwing the ball well. Sandlin has a 2.08 ERA in 16 games in Charlotte, along with 75 strikeouts.
Schultz has a 2.01 ERA in Triple-A this season, and over his last 21.2 innings he has allowed just four earned runs. Add in the rotation experience he gained earlier this season, and there’s at least a case for giving him another look.
With the White Sox already dealing with obvious fatigue on the mound, there’s a strong argument for changing things up now. The rotation is breaking down at exactly the wrong time, and if Chicago wants any chance of getting this group in shape for October, the time to test those young arms is now.
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