Guillen considering McCarthy for playoff duty

CHICAGO -- Just a few days ago, White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen was adamant that Brandon McCarthy would play no role in the starting rotation if Chicago makes the playoffs.

Now, the Sox skipper isn't so sure.

After another quality outing by McCarthy on Thursday night, in which the 22-year-old rookie gave up one run on four hits over eight innings, Guillen said he might not be as quick to eliminate the young hurler as a starter in the postseason.

"If he continues to throw like that, he will be on my mind," Guillen said. "I'll think about it."

McCarthy has done more than his share to impress not only the White Sox staff but others around baseball with his most recent performances. He has come up with clutch outings against tough offensive lineups like the Red Sox and Rangers while not seeming intimidated by facing former Cy Young award winners Curt Schilling and Johan Santana.

Guillen has made it clear that he will go with the pitchers who are hottest going into the playoff stretch, not necessarily the arms that were the best for the Sox in April and May. Jose Contreras is one starter who has made a strong impression in the later months to battle for a starting spot, though Guillen isn't willing to push his top two starters from early in the season, Jon Garland and Mark Buehrle, out of the spotlight.

"Well, Garland threw the ball good last time and Buehrle threw the ball not bad at all, he got better," Guillen said. "I have to get to the point where I figure how we're going to use them and when we're going to use them."

All the talk about playoff rotations the past few weeks without the team clinching a spot has made Guillen try to find a little humor in the situation.

"I tell you what, if we go to the playoffs, I will start (Paul) Konerko," Guillen chuckled. "I just want to be there."

Guillen still may be unsure of his playoff rotation, but he likely will use McCarthy to start again in five days. It will be the second straight start for McCarthy in place of Orlando "El Duque" Hernandez.

"The way (McCarthy) threw, he should be starting the next game," Guillen said. "I think I'm leaning to him. Duque going five days, 10 days between starts when we're trying to get something done here, it's going to be hard."

If the Sox are to keep McCarthy on the same five-day pitching schedule, it would give the rookie the start in the final regular-season game at Cleveland in what could be a decisive game for the American League Central Division title.

Although that situation would be pressure-filled, Guillen said he wouldn't be against using McCarthy in the role, especially with the way he has performed in key situations like Thursday night.

"Right now, I know what the kid can bring. And with Duque, hopefully he can bring something, because there's the question of (whether or not he can pitch)," Guillen said. "So many days off in a row, I don't know how sharp Duque is going to be."