There's really nothing to step up to... I don't believe he can be any better than what he has been the last 1-1/3 seasons. Plain and simple, he's a very mediocre pitcher now.
If Gibbons stops giving him so much rope we may be able to maximize his potential, let him pitch 5-6 innings then pull him at the first sign of trouble.
Also your post is flat out ridiculous, this game means no more than any other game. I subscribe to the notion that all regular season games are equally important.