MVN: Most Valuable Network

Woke up this morning to a disturbing bit of news from the Red Sox:

Not only do the Red Sox need a starter for Tuesday’s game against the Royals since Clay Buchholz is on the disabled list, the club’s bullpen took a big hit yesterday, too.

The Red Sox decided to rest Okajima for precautionary reasons. The left-hander has been complaining of discomfort for a few days, but the gutsy southpaw attempted to pitch through it.

Immediately, I thought of two things: One, how idiotic of Brad Mills to bring in the discomforted Okajima in a situation where he has obviously crumbled this season when Craig Hansen had only surrendered a leadoff first pitch single and a 9-pitch walk (that involved Brian Roberts fouling off a few outstanding pitches), and should have faced Jay Payton, who wouldn’t have had a clue.

Second, this injury is devastating because of the doubleheader Saturday and the need for a starter Tuesday against red hot Kansas City, a team that could pound our spot starter and the lack of an immediate long reliever due to the absence of Julian Tavarez. Luckily, the Brewers are trotting out Jeff Suppan, Carlos Villanueva and Dave Bush, three below average arms, and, at home, the Red Sox offense will hopefully be able to put enough runs up on the board to give Javier Lopez low-leverage innings.

If the situation arises, Tito might be apprehensive about sending out Hansen in the eighth due to the fact he hasn’t been able to get through a clean appearance yet in 2008. Delcarmen has struggled mightily this season but is picking it up like he did in 2007- he’d be my first choice Saturday in a 5-3 game in the eighth. I’d also play a mix and match game with Lopez vs. LHH and Hansen vs. RHH in big spots until Okajima can return, much like Tito had to do in that Sunday night Yankees game.

Due to the always precautious nature of the Red Sox, Okajima will probably be out around a week. This means that other key parts of the 2008 bullpen will have to step up and show they can handle the pressure, or this losing streak will continue.