This Just In: Francisco Liriano

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Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen has pulled his own starter, Jose Contreras, from the 2006 MLB All-Star Game and is replacing him with the Minnesota Twins' Francisco Liriano.

Contreras put in six innings of Chicago's 19-inning win over the Boston Red Sox on Sunday. The lengthy game has also likely nixed rookie Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon from throwing a pitch tonight, and whether White Sox closer Bobby Jenks will make it to the mound is questionable as well - both threw two or more innings on Sunday.

Apparently Red Sox slugger David Ortiz helped Guillen track down Liriano, who had already returned to his home in the Dominican Republic for the All-Star break.

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Date

Tue 07/11/06, 6:28 am EST

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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer

1238 days ago

Score 0

This makes a mockery of a "competitive" game (hint Mr. Selig [clears throat])... Who put Guillen in charge of the AL!?

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XinophDraft Pick

1238 days ago

Score 0

The manager of last team's penant-winner has always managed the league team in the All-Star Game, and like normal baseball managers, gets a certain degree of control over who's playing. Furthermore, I can't understand why this would be a problem with "competitiveness" - Liriano is better than Contreras through the first half. Furthermore, it's customary that the team manager in the All-Star game won't put that player in much more than the player feels is appropriate, in respect of the needs of his team. All of this makes perfect sense.

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XinophDraft Pick

1238 days ago

Score -1

last *year's* penant-winner, my bad :)

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Awrigh01All-Star

1238 days ago

Score 0

Liriano deserves to start.

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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer

1238 days ago

Score 1

I meant, that I imagine there are about 6 pitchers. If you are missing two or three, as stated above, in an game that could involve (if not, come down to) double switches, it doesn't leave them the options that the NL would have. Especially if it needs extra innings.

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XinophDraft Pick

1238 days ago

Score 1

I'm still not sure what you mean, Alex; pitchers are generally replaced with pitchers. And believe me, the game tonight won't come down to double switchesm it'll come down to the NL sucking.

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Alex HolowczakHall of Famer

1238 days ago

Score 1

The AL are missing two to three of their bullpen (they are not fit enough according to the article), leaving them three pitchers for nine innings. Considering the NL probably has more, it might be a disadvantage. Re: Double Switches, Fair enough... I rarely see NL MLB, and whenever I play it on my game, I ALWAYS double-switch (unless it's the third inning or something...) But over one game, the NL might get lucky against the AL, it can happen. (E.g. KC have actually won game this year! - against a few decent teams). So anything can happen.

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