After getting roughed up for 8 runs on 9 hits the night before, GM Theo Epstein did the merciful thing on Friday... he put struggling starter John Smoltz out of his misery.

Or should I say "our misery?" 

Yes, I know... Smoltzy is a current legend and future Hall of Famer... heck, no one else has ever recorded 200 wins and 150 saves in the same career.  So I get it, he's to be revered and appreciated.  But clearly he no longer has "it."  And by "it" I mean "starter it."  You know... Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz "it" from back in the day. 

But you know what he does have?  Middle relief "it!" 

That's right!  He's shown he's capable of pitching great for an inning here and there.  And so Theo may have given him his walking papers for the time being, but I for one am hoping Smoltzy doesn't get claimed off waivers.  Because if he doesn't (and if he's willing to drop the 35K per day for being on the active roster), we may well see the living legend pitch for the Sox again someday.  Under the right circumstances, I  would really like to see that.