Dana Eveland Never Should Have Started Against the Red Sox

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Contribute him starting to another questionable decision by Bob Geren.

If Geren had actually done his job, he would have realized that Eveland was not the answer to replace Dallas Braden, who went on the bereavement list. Not only that, the A's had other options in Triple-A to take Braden's spot.

Sean Gallagher would have been a better option to bring up to face the Red Sox. Gallagher has started five games in Triple-A this year, he's 1-0 with a 1.74 ERA, pitched 20.2 innings, given up 12 hits, five runs, four earned, and has struck out 15 while walking six.

Eveland, who was sent down to the minors, had a record of 7-1 with a 3.49 ERA in 12 starts, he's pitched 69.2 innings, given up 65 hits, 35 runs, 27 earned, and struck out 46 while walking 33.

Though sent down to work on his control, Eveland still hasn't managed to find it.  A walk total of 33 is a high number, especially in just 69 plus innings.

The biggest problem, though, that Geren didn't look at is the fact that Eveland does not match up well with the Red Sox. Before the start of this game, Eveland has had two starts against the Red Sox.

Red Sox batters have hit .444, gotten 16 hits, and 14 runs in just 36 at-bats.  Eveland struck out just four batters and walked five.

Take the stats into today's game and the numbers go up. Again it was another short outing against the Red Sox for Eveland. This was a game that Gallagher, Chacon, or even Edgar Gonzalez should have been starting.

So the question is, what was Geren thinking sending Eveland to the mound?

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