Buehrle gets nod for Opening Day
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Mark Buehrle has been scratched from today's scheduled exhibition start against the cross-town Cubs.
It's one of the biggest games of the spring, but from the White Sox' perspective, it's still a fairly meaningless scrimmage.
The Sox are much more concerned with keeping Buehrle, a workhorse left-hander, fresh for the regular season.
More specifically, they want Buehrle ready for Opening Day.
White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen on Wednesday said Javier Vazquez was also getting strong consideration to start the opener, but Buehrle is going to take the mound March 31 at Cleveland, assuming it's not snowing.
Buehrle made 5 straight opening-day starts (2002-06) for the Sox before giving way to Jose Contreras last season.
"If I would have had the start last year and had my streak going, I think it would mean a little more,'' Buehrle said. "But since it was broken last year, I guess I start a new one. Anytime you start Opening Day, it's an honor.
"Javy had a great year last year, and like I've said all along, I'm going to start Opening Day and he's going to start in the home opener. The way I look at it, it's a tossup, whether you start the opener or start at home.''
Buehrle, who pitched a no-hitter last season, will be followed by Vazquez, John Danks, Jose Contreras and Gavin Floyd.
Danks and Floyd are relative unknowns, but White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper likes what he's been seeing out of the young pitchers this spring.
"The last few months (of 2007) were good for Gavin,'' Cooper said. "He's throwing the ball well down here. The first part of (last) season was very good for Danks, and he's throwing the ball well down here, so they're our third and fifth guys. We believe in them."
Since Buehrle is being skipped from today's start and has been closely monitored all spring, there has been speculation that he's not healthy.
Cooper shot down the questions before they were asked Friday.
"We said it earlier in spring training that we'd watch his innings, and now is the time,'' Cooper said. "I'm sure a little bit was made of it. With that said, we named him our opening-day guy. We're just giving him a break, more than anything. We'll have some sidelines here and there. I'm not really sure what we'll do. I haven't sat down or thought about it yet, but he's going to make his next start five days from now on (March) 20.''
Buehrle will likely be matched up against Indians ace C.C. Sabathia on Opening Day, but he's been around too long to worry about one game.
"Obviously, the first game kind of leads you in the right direction,'' Buehrle said. "But if we lost or get blown out in that opener, it's not going to lead us in the wrong direction or show what we will do for the rest of the year. If we go out and beat them up, we don't win the division. It's a good way to start, but doesn't mean everything.''
Sox' starting rotation
Pitcher 2007 W-L, ERA
Mark Buehrle 10-9, 3.63
Javier Vazquez 15-8, 3.74
John Danks 6-13, 5.50
Jose Contreras 10-17, 5.57
Gavin Floyd 1-5, 5.27