Mark

Buehrle

He’s one of 11 new names on the ballot, which also includes (in alphabetical order) A.J. Burnett, Michael Cuddyer, Dan Haren, LaTroy Hawkins, Tim Hudson, Torii Hunter, Aramis Ramírez, Nick Swisher, Shane Victorino and Barry Zito. A number of these players had very good careers, but there’s not a no-doubter in the bunch, which should make for an interesting year in terms of voting. Curt Schilling (who received 70 percent of the vote last year) would appear in strong position to make it in his ninth year on the ballot. Roger Clemens (61.0 percent), Barry Bonds (60.7 percent) and Omar Vizquel (52.6 percent) were the only others to receive votes on at least 50 percent of ballots last year. Players must be on 75 percent of ballots to earn their place in Cooperstown.

The White Sox are six games out in the AL Central, and 7.5 games back in the wildcard race, so Guillen believes he can’t afford to have an unreliable starter pitch... at least not until the White Sox are eliminated.

Or actually, it might be something worse. Buehrle initially said he felt some soreness Saturday, but he later insisted that he’s fine. This is a situation to watch closely for the next several days. Buerhle has thrown a ton of innings over the last two years.

The plan is for Buerhle to make each of his next two starts on four days’ rest. Manager Jerry Manuel believes that Buehrle is tired but that nothing is physically wrong with him.

He gave up seven hits but didn’t walk a batter and struck out three. Buehrle’s current 2.79 ERA is a career best and is due in large part to having allowed just eight home runs all season. Buehrle had given up at least 22 home runs in each of his previous four seasons, and to allow such a low number while pitching half one’s games in a hitter’s haven like U.S. Cellular Field is even more impressive.

The Sox are expecting to hear something on Monday, and are hoping for just a fine.

The Red Sox won’t be afraid of Buehrle if they meet up in a playoff series. In four starts against Boston since the beginning of last year, Buehrle has allowed 22 runs -- 18 earned -- and 39 hits in 26 innings.

Mark Buehrle won’t automatically be his Game 1 starter, and he is watching closely to see how his starters match up against certain teams.

“I think in the past they’ve worked together and have been able to work it out,” manager Ozzie Guilen said. “People can’t forget he won a lot of games with A.J. [Pierzynski] behind the plate. That’s not the problem. It’s just trying to do something different.”

Buehrle was in line for his first win since June 27 until Matt Thornton allowed two runs in the eighth, but at least he did come up with his first quality start in six outings. Now we just have to see whether he can duplicate the feat against a better team. He’ll face the Angels on Monday.