Exactly. And what are the chances that the seven dwarves are going to get them back in contention without Snow White (and Nomar)? It seems like Dan Dq is backing into shutting him down rather than just doing it.

I am curious to see how Lowe responds to starting again. Wlil he handle it better than his closing duties? Is El Guapao (sp?) the new closer? How do they define contention in Boston? (Things have been contentious-looking most of the season but they kept saying everything was fine, so I'm just asking.) Lots of questions in Bean Town...

I do think that the stakes matter - if they were playing a one-game playoff I'd start Pedro if I was reasonably confident he would be effective.

Let's face it, every time a pitcher goes out there there is a risk of serious injury. Especially with Pedro, and I don't think that's ever going to change. Not this year, next year or thereafter.

If he can pitch and there is even a slightly higher than normal risk of injury then I say shut him down (obviously that is the situation now) because the games the Sox have left are virtually meaningless. If the Sox were in the hunt I'd put him out there, assuming it's not the kind of injury that prevents him from pitching effectively.

If it were a pennant race and he could only pitch 2 innings every 5 days, I'd use him in the bullpen.

I think Derek Lowe will do fine as a starter. Looking at 2002, this will most likely be his role anyway. Guapo won't be the closer, Urbina will.

Pedro should absolutely not pitch again this year. Providing the new owners will allow a $100 mil plus payroll again, Boston sets up in decent shape. They lose over $30 million in dead weight (Lansing, Valentin, O'Leary, Bichette among others). This will open on room for free agents. Of course, the Duke's head must roll if there is any hope for a quality free agent to come here without having to outbid other teams by 50%. Let Pedro and Nomar get healthy (Everett, too, unless they deal him) and have at it next year.