Chicago White Sox: Is It Time to Hand the Ball to Sergio Santos in the Ninth?

The Chicago White Sox head into their weekend series with the Angels with some definite questions concerning their bullpen.

It is easy to point the finger at the relief corps as the rest of the team has looked good in the early going.

That, and the fact that they are largely responsible for four of Chicago's five losses.

The combined ERA of the bullpen is 5.98, nearly two runs worse than the rest of the staff.  Their closer, Matt Thornton, has four blown saves and a 7.71 ERA.

Things came to a head Wednesday afternoon, when a 4-1 ninth inning lead was handed to the bullpen by John Danks, who pitched a great game against Oakland.  Moments later, the White Sox found themselves going into extra innings.

White Sox relievers allowed six runs in two innings as the Athletics salvaged the series finale 7-4 in 10 innings.

Ozzie Guillen, who had defended his late inning pitchers recently, finally voiced his frustration with the staff after Wednesday's collapse.

"When you have a bad bullpen, that's what happens. That's what happens," Guillen fumed. "I don't have any closer. I don't.  You are just scratching your head and second-guess yourself what you are doing wrong, bringing people to the mound with three-run lead ... and we can't hold the lead. That's not a good sign."

Fans certainly empathize with Guillen.  Will he shake things up, starting this weekend?

Guillen's comments suggest that he could go with a closer by committee, during which one candidate (possibly Thornton if he settles down) would earn the full-time role.  He could grit his teeth and stick with Thornton.  Guillen may also elect to ride the arm of one of his other relievers and see where it leads.

Could that arm belong to Sergio Santos?

The converted infielder, now in his second season with the White Sox, has pitched very well in the spring and has not been scored upon in five appearances this season.  He threw two perfect innings in Chicago's 6-5 victory over Oakland on Tuesday.

If things get tight in the late innings against the Angels, will Guillen give Santos a shot?

It's true that Santos does not have experience closing games.  That doesn't mean he won't be successful doing so.  Right now Guillen needs to find a pitcher who can record saves, and in a timely manner.  Santos has been the most dominant man in the bullpen.  It might be time to give him a try.

With this bullpen, there's no reason Thornton can't work out some kinks and be back shutting down opponents. 

The situation in the White Sox bullpen is reminiscent of last August, where a poor run in the late innings was a factor in coming up short in the Central Division race.  We should see this weekend if Guillen chooses to stay the course or shuffle his relievers.