It is time for James McDonald to start pitching and get back to his old form if The Pirates have any hopes of saving their season and playoff hopes. If he does not, then it's time to send him back to the farm. It is time for him to decide what kind of pitcher he is. And I am not just talking about just this season, but his career.
The best bet for McDonald and the Bucs is that he regains his form and salvages the second half of the season. It would be great if he goes back to that dominating pitcher that had no-hit stuff each outing. If that happens, then there is a good chance The Pirates will make the playoffs for the first time since 1992.
But what if McDonald does not regain his form in two more starts? Then it is time for him to go back to the minors for the rest of the season. There is something wrong mechanically and mentally. His 8.71 ERA since the all-star break is the stat that all points to him having something wrong. The best answer for him would be a trip to Indianapolis. There would be no pressure for him to pitch well and get the win. He could slow down and figure out what is actually wrong. He could then better himself for his career. He could better himself and still be an ace of this staff in the future. Keeping him in the rotation is definitely not the answer. Clint Hurdle came out and said they will only use five pitchers in the starting rotation. Someone has to go and Kevin Correia for once is not the answer. He won his last seven starts until the debacle against the Dodgers and that loss was not his fault. He deserves to be in the rotation. He is a proven veteran. James McDonald is not. It is time for him to start pitching like one, or it is time for him to go back to the farm.