Sox Drawer: Masterson & Colon set to start in KC series

Not to get too far ahead of myself but the Sox will send two potential rotation saviors to the hill against the Royals this week.

Don't you feel better knowing this guy ^ is going to start for Boston on Wednesday?

Due to the rain out Friday night and Clay Buchholz nursing a fingernail injury on the DL, Boston is in need of a couple of starters this week.

And who better to take the ball than phenom-in-training Justin Masterson, who pitched brilliantly in his MLB debut against the Angels a few weeks ago, and the once laughable offseason acquisition Bartolo Colon, who could be the pickup of the year if he pitches anywhere close to his Cy Young form.

According to the Globe Masterson will start Tuesday, taking Buchholz spot on the rotation, and Colon will make his 08 debut Wednesday night, thus preventing Boston from having to use one of its regular starters on short rest.

Like I said I know it's tough to get too amped up about a 23-year-old kid with six innings of major league experience under his belt, and an aging, overweight former ace who may pitch his last game in the majors should he shit the bed on Wednesday.

But the thing makes me excited is despite the early woes that have plagued the majority of the pitching staff the team has option available, cheap ones at that, to plug in until the other problems get straightened out.

With Colon it's a low risk/high reward situation that could pay huge dividends. Do I believe that the hefty righty is going to dominate lineups and become a top of the rotation stater again? Not quite. But if he can be a serviceable #4-5 with his experience and veteran leadership, that will certainly be an improvement over Julian Tavarez and the unstable Buchholz.

And if he doesn't pan out Boston will cut him loose quicker than Mariah did Nick (what, that didn't happen yet? bullshit!) and will only have wasted about a million on the chance that a former Cy winner could contribute anything to a pennant contending team.

As for Masterson he could be this year's Buchholz (especially since it appears Buchholz won't be) if he parlays these spot starts into a September callup, where he could have the chance to toss a gem in a pennant race, a la Clay's no-no last September.

If he doesn't he's back in the minors till next year, with the tantalizing taste of the MLB experience enough motivation to drive him to make it back.

Bottom line is not matter how bad things have looked for the rotation (except Matsuzaka) and the bully (ditto Paps), it's nice to know that reinforcements are on the horizon to shore up the leaks until the ship is ready to sail smoothly again.

And to think I didn't even mention the inevitable return of Mr. Bloody Sock.