Schilling faces uphill battle starting tonight

[Providence A's]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/column...=2142390&num=0

As Schilling will demonstrate in his own inimitable way, the road from rotation to bullpen is a two-way street. But there's a biggggg difference between the side of the road Eckersley, Smoltz and Gordon traveled and the side Schilling is about to tackle.

It's kind of like the difference between skiing downhill vs. uphill.

"You can take any starting pitcher and make him a closer in one week," said Schilling's old manager, Jim Fregosi. "But it takes a long period of time to take a guy who's been closing and make him a starter again."

Maybe that's why the list of pitchers who have ridden down Schilling's side of this street -- and taken that road from closer to starter -- is shorter than Quinton McCracken.

It will be interesting to see if he can walk the walk after talking the talk (requesting to start).

[Fishercat]

Jayson Stark thought Shannon Stewart should've been the MVP in 2003 IIRC, so he's not qualified on anything...but he could be right. Schilling's not so far departed from starting that he needs an off-season to prep (say, like Smoltz), but he could have issues since the Royals have a few MLB hitters on their team.

[rockin500]

he's right. schilling can hardly pitch for one inning, what makes anyone think he can go 5+ innings effectively every 5 days?

[Fishercat]

On an unrelated Schilling note, I represented S3F by voting him the biggest loudmouth in sports, and he was in 2nd place on the ESPN2 poll behind Terrell Owens (about 60%) and Barkley was 3rd (I think 1% lower). Woohoo!

[Providence A's]

Well, it's almost Lima time (22 minutes). Schilling is going to have to win with Ortiz on the bench, Manny DHing, Millar in left, and Kapler in right.

[Fishercat]

This game sucks. Stairs got hurt, Schilling's running like an a Wright-brothers plane, getting through but not well. THIS BLOWS CHUNKS!

[Providence A's]

Schilling has given up 4 earned in 3 innings so far. 4 - 2 Royals in the top of the 4th.

[Fishercat]

Funny how that works

[Providence A's]

funny how what works? us posting at the same time? or schilling getting shelled?

[Fishercat]

More the former than the latter, but both could be.

[Providence A's]

6 - 2 now...I guess they just want to get him innings, huh?

[browntown653]

Never underestimate the immortal Jose Lima, that's all I have to say.

[Providence A's]

Well, the Sox have gotten 2 more to make it 6 - 4 in the top of the 6th...looks like they're going to try their hardest to get Schill off the hook

[Providence A's]

From gameday:

Kansas City Royals right fielder Matt Stairs left the game due to an injured leg.

And Schilling is out after 5 giving up 6 earned runs, 9 hits, 1 walk, and 5 k's...ERA up to 6.89

[browntown653]

Even though he pitched poorly, Boston's still gotta keep throwing Curt out there with the way he's pitched in the playoffs in the past and with the state of their rotation. So don't expect him to return to the pen anytime soon.