You Think Gavin Floyd Is Looking Over His Shoulder Yet?

So far after one game for both the White Sox and Cubs, most of the talk has been about how the Sox were able to battle back from an early deficit and show some life, and about Kerry Wood's 9th inning implosion on Monday. Nevermind the fact that so far each team has only played 0.6% of the season, fans and talking heads alike are already making changes to each team.

I'm trying to avoid such trivial pursuits. Or excuse me, I was trying.

Damn the day off yesterday, it left my mind to wonder what if all day as I tried to analyze what I saw from my White Sox on Monday. The one thing that stood out to me more than anything from the team's opening salvo?

Not Jim Thome's two home runs. Not Mark Buehrle's hideous seven-run 2nd inning. Not even the horrible call at home plate or Hawk Harrelson's incessant ranting about the interference call at second base on Orlando Cabrera.

Nope, all I could think about was Nick Masset's performance, and what it could possibly mean for the future. Of course, I do all this knowing that one game means absolutely nothing, yet I can't keep that sense of April optimism from creeping into my weak willed brain.

After having a horrible spring, which consisted of a 6.61 ERA and 12 runs and 23 hits allowed in 16.1 innings of work, Masset still "earned" the 25th spot on the roster. In actuality he didn't earn it at all, but instead got the spot over Ehren Wasserman (who pitched very well through the spring) because he had no options left, so the Sox had to risk losing Masset if they wanted to send him down to the minors.

So instead Nick was given the long man out of the bullpen role, and on the very first day of the season he showed what he's capable of: 4.1IP, 2 hits, 4 strikeouts, and no walks. It was easily the best performance of any pitcher on either team.

Now I'm hoping that it wasn't a fluke, and that Masset can maintain his success. Why? Because I hate Gavin Floyd, that's why. I would love nothing more at this point then to see Masset continue to mow through opposing lineups, have Floyd struggle in the 5th spot of the rotation, and have Masset replace him. Then the team can send Floyd back to Charlotte, where he belongs, and call up Wasserman to take Masset's spot in the bullpen.

Like I've said though, it's only been one game, but a man can hope.