But when they turn out as well as Andrew Miller's did Friday night, those outings can provide an incredible boost.
Miller allowed a run on only three hits in 5 1/3 innings against the Kansas City Royals. He showed no rust after having pitched just three innings in the last 18 days and looked nothing like the pitcher who gave up seven runs in 3 2/3 innings the last time he faced the Royals.
"I had to feel my way into it. It’s been a little while," Miller said after improving to 5-1. "I was able to throw enough strikes. We scored runs like usual. Just nice to get the win."
Because of a quirk in the schedule that has the Red Sox playing 14 games in 13 days, all starting with a doubleheader, they were forced to give Miller his first start of the month. Essentially, the lefty was serving as a bridge to cover a gap in the rotation, all to ensure that nobody would have to start on short rest.
The bridge was strong, and now the Red Sox rotation, while looking nothing like its original makeup, can forge ahead with everyone in line and as close to 100 percent as possible. That also goes for Erik Bedard, who has built up his pitch count each time out and is just about where he was before a left knee sprain sidelined him in June.
In fact, the next time Miller, or any other spot starter, will be needed (barring injury) is in the second-to-last week of the regular season. Boston has a doubleheader in the middle of a long homestand that will feature 10 games in nine days.
Sure, that's a long time from now, but if that start comes with just over a week to go in the regular season, it probably comes at a time when the Red Sox need a win. After what Miller gave them Friday, the confidence level will be high.
"He really pitched a solid game," manager Terry Francona said.
Miller has had problems in the first inning throughout his career. He admitted that he had "a little doubt" heading out there Friday night to make his first start since July 31, so a rocky beginning was almost expected. But he picked up the first of three strikeouts on the first man he faced, part of a 1-2-3 first.
Kansas City's lone run came on a double, a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly in the third, after which Miller allowed just two more hits. The last of his 83 pitches struck out Melky Cabrera for the first out of the sixth. Alfredo Aceves took over, got the final 11 outs and Boston improved to 8-1 in games started by Miller.
It was not an extreme show of dominance or the kind of effort that will bump someone else from the rotation. But it didn't need to be. Miller did a solid job of bridging the gap. Now, the Red Sox can break out the silverware.
