How much longer can the Smoltz experiment go on?

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Time to reach for the panic button? It's just one of those things that Red Sox fans are always going to do.

And after five starts and a 6.31 ERA, fans have to be wondering if John Smoltz has anything left in the tank. After all, this was the guy who was supposed to provide stability to the rotation, especially with the abysmal start to the season by Daisuke Matsuzaka. He's been the exact opposite of that. Everytime you think he's figured it out, he falters again.

His first start against Washington was predictably shaky as he allowed five runs in five innings, but he seemed to rebound against a pretty decent hitting Baltimore club. He only pitched four innings, thanks to a rain delay, but allowed just one run on three hits.

Then the hapless A's got to him for five runs on 10 hits in six innings. He followed that up with his first win in a Sox jersey, giving up just one run in five innings to the Royals and the see-saw continued.

Last night's loss was possibly the most disheartening. Smoltz had allowed just one run on four hits through the first five innings, then totally blew up in the sixth. Three homers and an RBI single did him in as all of a sudden, the veteran lost control of the strike zone and didn't make it out of the inning. What's worse, this was a game in which they needed a good start from Smoltz. With the loss, the Red Sox dropped into a tie with the New York Yankees for first in the AL East.

So what to do with Smoltz? This question may be easier to answer if Brad Penny was throwing well. But how long can the Red Sox go with two pitchers struggling at the back end of the rotation as a pennant race is heating up? Does Terry Francona keep throwing him out there every fifth day and hope Smoltz finds his way?

The answer for the time being is yes.

I know that fans are clammoring to see more of Clay Buchholz after his "strong" start against the Blue Jays. But the fact of the matter is this: Buchholz did not seem to be any better at commanding the strike zone than he was in 2008 when he imploded. That's the difference between AAA and the Majors. Sure, he was ok. But he threw over 100 pitches and still didn't get through the sixth inning.

There are two things that have to make you think that Smoltz will come around. First, he is making hitters miss. In 25.2 innings, Smoltz has struck out 22 batters, a ratio that is just about on par with his career numbers. And let's not forget those are pretty good. Second, he's not walking anybody. He's around the strike zone. In five starts, he's only issued four free passes and for the first five innings of last night's game, he commanded the strike zone. Then he lost it.

But let's not forget that before June 25, this guy hadn't thrown off a Major League mound since June 2, 2008. Were you expecting miracles right off the bat? Why not give him a chance to get his legs back?

It's hard to remain patient when the Yankees have closed the gap, but it is still July. There's still 2 1/2 months of baseball left to be played and the Red Sox are still in a pretty good position.