The conversation outside the Red Sox' dugout before their 8-6 win over the Orioles Sunday seemed like logical one.
Garrett Whitlock had never pitched into late September in his professional life, was coming off Tommy John surgery and had found himself in the intensity of a big league pennant race.
"How do you feel?" he was asked.
"Just about the same as everyone else," Whitlock said with a chuckle, adding, "I appreciate all the medical staff and what (Red Sox pitching coach Dave Bush) Bushy and (manager Alex Cora) AC have done for me, taking care of me this year. I’m just glad I’m still healthy so far and glad to be at this point."
At it turned out, it was a bad day to bring up the subject.
In the top of the seventh inning Whitlock was forced from his 44th appearance with what was later classified as right pectoral tightness. After third baseman Rafael Devers noticed the pitcher putting his hand on his chest, Cora was taking no chances.
“[Devers] saw it. Velocity was down. He threw a pitch at 92, and Raffy was the one that got my attention,” said Cora. “We’ll know more tomorrow, obviously, on the off-day. It’s too soon to know what’s going on.”
Needless to say, the news will be of significant importance to the Red Sox.
The optimism regarding the Red Sox is higher than it has been in months, with Cora's club on a five-game winning streak while continuing to fill out its regular roster. But Whitlock represents a piece of the puzzle that would be hard to replace.
For starters, the Red Sox are 31-14 in games the rookie has pitched, including 15-4 in outings of two innings or more. There have also been a major league-best 30 appearances that have lasted at least one inning that hasn't included a single run.
Whitlock's ERA sits at 1.99, having struck out 79 in 72 1/3 innings, walking just 17.
He absolutely has a case for American League Rookie of the Year, although his lot in life as set-up man has buried him when it comes to Vegas odds for the honor. Outside of Boston, the appreciation for what the Rule 5 pick is doing most likely won't trump the numbers being put up by Randy Arozarena, Adolis Garcia, Ryan Mountcastle and even Houston starter pitcher Luis Garcia.
But no matter what the perception is of Whitlock is around baseball circles, the reality is that he has become one of the most valuable members of a team trying to push their way through the postseason.
Cora's master plans to bob and weave his way through these big games using a variety of pitchers hinges greatly on Whitlock's skill-set. That was supposed to be the case Sunday, and now the Red Sox can just hold their breath that nothing will change.