For this weekend series:
Stuck in the middle: If Brandon McCarthy takes to the mound this weekend during the crosstown Cubs' series, it probably won't be a good sign for the White Sox rotation. After seeing a pitching alignment that would leave seven days in between starts for Jon Garland, Mark Buehrle and Freddy Garcia, Guillen sounded Tuesday as if he were leaning toward skipping McCarthy's next start all together and going with Garland in Sunday's series finale.
The original notion being discussed involved pitching Garland on regular rest against the Cubs, and moving McCarthy back to the ensuing series in Detroit. But that change still would leave Buehrle and Garcia with too long of a break, factoring in Monday's off-day.
McCarthy, who allowed six runs on seven hits over 4 2/3 innings Monday, will work in middle relief and wouldn't start again until either July 1 or 2 in Oakland. That start could be his only one before the All-Star break, with another off day coming on June 7.
Guillen also mentioned that McCarthy needs to command more than his fastball in order to be successful at the Major League level, especially with the right-hander not possessing a fastball in the mid-90s. McCarthy understands it's about believing in his own ability and being ready to go when the White Sox need him, even if it's his first relief appearance since pitching with Rookie League Great Falls in 2003.
"It all goes back to trusting my stuff," McCarthy said of finding success. "If you trust your stuff, then there's nothing left to do after that."
