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Another season in which Grandal is outplayed by his backup catcher. Seems to be a theme over the course of the guy’s career. Collins has really impressed, especially defensively, because I wasn’t expecting much from him there.

Thank God for Rodon. Should have added a few more runs late if Tony wasn't all caught up in small ball bunting and Hamilton batting late because he pulled Vaughn again. Hamilton has two less at bats to end the game (Innings 7-10) than Vaughn. This needs to stop, now. Hamilton should never be brought in before the 9th, and never with the possibility to bat in a crucial spot. 2021 Batting Averages (Innings 7-10): Andrew Vaughn: 5-14 .357 vs. Tony's Guys 3-45 .0666 Leury Garcia 2-22 .091 Billy Hamilton 1-12 .083 Jake Lamb 0-6 .000 Nick Williams 0-5 .000

I have been reading your posts and am impressed by your mind for the game. We should get together for a game this summer. I would love to pick your brain.

It's a very small vocal faction here who hates him.

Sounds like a good opportunity for Tony to get Hamilton a start in LF. Gotta keep him fresh.

I blame Hahn more. And JR the most.

Come in Tex, your much smarter than this poor attempt. 1. Tony pinch ran for the trail runner at first (Vaughn sprint speed 31), up 3-0, behind lead runner Collins (sprint speed of 6). 2. There is nothing hypothetical about my criticism of Tony’s late inning instance of either keeping worse LFers in the game (Lamb and Williams, both in the five hole no less), or continually leaving good, ACTUAL hitting alternatives on the bench while Hamilton and Garcia flail away, time after time (cues Cindy Lauper), late in close ballgames. Not because these are the best chances of winning, but rather because “Veterans have earned their at bats”. This is Tony’s reasoning. 2021 Batting Averages (Innings 7-10): Andrew Vaughn: 5-14 .357 vs. Tony's Guys 3-45 .0666 (Let he who hath reckon the number of the beast…) Leury Garcia 2-22 .091 Billy Hamilton 1-12 .083 Jake Lamb 0-6 .000 Nick Williams 0-5 .000 3. I listed my criteria for possibly considering EVER installing Hamilton as a late replacement (9th inning or beyond, with little to no chance of a meaningful at bat). You know, like running Hamilton in the tenth instead of of say, LIAM HENDRIKS, a move nearly the entire universe, including Tony’s dugout, were screaming WTF. If we put it to a poll, of SoxTalk members, or baseball people (like Steve Stone), I’m confident my preferred usage of Billy Hamilton would win out over Tony’s. No Hypotheticals Required.

That would be Bartolo Colon.

Are you paid by the post? Blink twice if you are being held against your will.

We fired a guy who was outstanding in the clubhouse and bad on the diamond. The expectations was that we needed a better tactician. Only a fool thinks that has gone well.

Knowing the NL nuance of the 10th inning ghost runner rule rule would have changed the runner, but not the outcome of the game. Please reserve judgment on LaRussa until we see how he handles a team that lost two of its star players for the season. He's got them in First place right now.

Sweet another week or so and we’ll be 1st in the AL. Even with a few top guys out, no other team in the AL has even close to the level of talent we have. It’s so obvious. Nothing to really worry about. Never was.

Correct. But if they aren't even considering surgery than it isn't a bad grade 3 tear. So the likelihood of long term issues is greatly diminished.

Makes more sense to pitch him today if this is indeed the plan.

I'm fine with being as rigid as possible with Kopech's usage. Keeping him on a schedule that's similar to that of a starter seems like the surest way to keep him stretched out while making sure he's building up innings. If they don't use him tonight, and Gio goes ~6+ tomorrow, it becomes a slippery slope where Kopech could go too long (imo) without pitching.

I don’t like using Kopech here.

It's only felt like the Sox offense is underperforming and disappointing because offense as a whole across baseball is way down. Relatively they've been good from the start of the season.

You just posted to whine and complain. I actually provided some insight to a problem. I'm going to put you on ignore because there's no point in trying to engage with someone who has the perpetual mental capacity of a child and literally no self-awareness.

Lol. What function do you serve again other than to whine and complain about everything?

Over the first two weeks of the season they were 7th in baseball in wRC+ and 7th in runs scored. They had the longest streak of any team in scoring at least 3 runs per game to start the season. They've never been bad. Yeah they've had a few bad games offensively but name a team that hasn't.

It is annoying that even with the injuries, with good management we would be the best team in baseball. But overall we’re in a good place.

You guys are such grouches. Exactly what do you want them to be talking about? They are still being plenty analytical about baseball, and Jason is having confident banter with Len rather than desperately trying to seek Stone's approval on subjects he's not confident about all game. I love Stone but I think these 2 make for a much better pair overall based on the few games I've heard them do together thus far.

You mean Tony not knowing the rules? Yeah of all the meltdowns on here, that’s one of the most acceptable.

It's interesting that Soxtalk is one of very few places where Benetti isn't universally beloved. Non White Sox fans who regularly watch out of town baseball rave about Benetti and Stone + the media coverage of him is all overwhelmingly positive.

They’re going off topic so much bc it’s an 8-0 crush. Sorry you don’t like the good vibes. Oddball commentary is enjoyable in this type of relatively rare circumstance. Watch the Royals cast if it’s insufficient dour and low-energy for your tastes.

Jason doesn't give a shit what you think. He's getting paid to call games and you are just jealous.

I'm filling in for my guy chitownsportsfan right now - Benetti is awful right now. Quit going off topic so damn much.

Now we can start the party!

Hamilton going in for defense now, lol...

Does Mercedes wear enough gold chains? Gotta be a record.

Sorry I just got out of the time machine from January 2020 and streets are empty and the few out are wearing masks, Tony La Russa is the manager and the Sox outfield is Vaughan, Leury and Mendick. So...post apocalypse?

This is such a bad take and I'm surprised how many people are spouting this off. No Eloy, Robert, Engel. There's not a front office in the league that can prepare to withstand this many injuries.

Lot's of different people post here. Not surprising you can find a multitude of opinions on every player based on current results. Message boards and twitter don't work real well with baseball because of small sample sizes. It's a game of patience . Abreu is showing his age, Eaton now sucks after being a good free agent acquisition at the beginning , the bullpen was awesome based on last years result and now it sucks. People talking about giving Rodon a qualifying offer after 30 games or what it will cost to resign him. We get way ahead of ourselves way too often. We'd have nothing to post about if we all waited for the final analysis.

SS is 10 times harder to play than RF. An above average defensive SS should be just fine in RF. I mean, Vaughn is a 1B and is handling LF just fine. Eaton is going to do nothing but K against this lefty. Now, batting Leury 8th is stupid. I get that he has to play CF for a while but he should never bat anywhere other than 9th. Vaughn should also be ahead of Grandal.

Yas could have a > .400 OBP when he starts hitting a bit, and then no one will be complaining anymore.

Players aren't running nearly as much on the base paths as they used to. So if they theoretically aren't a threat to run, wouldn't it be more advantageous as a catcher to put yourself in a better position to steal pitches for your pitcher? Bc two HOF C's (I'm guessing Yadi will be in there) caught one particular way doesn't mean that way will work for everyone.

Funny how everybody was so hellbent on writing him off as being able to legitimately catch.

The advanced stats and eye test are showing Andrew to be an above average left fielder, his k% has come down to a respectable level and he is above average in all facets of the game including base running. Let him off the leash and give him those ABs.

He’s pitched 30 innings. He has had terrific 30 inning stretches before. Not as terrific as this stretch. I just wonder with his limited use in recent years how many innings he has in him this season, and whether or not he will hold up. I am guessing the Sox ride him as far as they can and see where everything ends up. If he wins the Cy Young, Boras will get him ridiculous money and he will be gone. So the better he goes, the less likely he come back.

Your response to Tray's post is clever but unfair. Tray has a very good percentage of likes to postings. That means that a fair number of us enjoy what his post have to say IMO. Perhaps you meant to add a smiley face. In that case...carry on.

And we could of figured this out in 2019 instead of playing Machado's brother in law.

When complaining about our bad luck with losing Eloy & Luis...we need to give thanks for Rodon & Mercedes. .Good Win!!

Why do I hear the theme song from Dawson’s creek playing?

Bodacious

How did ol’ JR go about getting his shiny new stadium? It’s the envy of the league, too. As for the game, look...Sox didn’t hit. But regardless, they were in the game. It was 0-0, if you recall. These are the games where a manager earns their money in terms of being chess players. Any dummy can manage a 9-0 game. He botched it. Period.

Remember that 2 months to heal. He will need to do rehab then progress to baseball after that. So the time frame fits.

It's very good. There must not be as many fibers torn for a bad grade 3. All is looking up.

AVG OBP .121 .381 That makes no sense at all.

Grandal is a sunk cost at this point, you can't undo what Rick Hahn doneth. Best you can do to salvage the situation is catch Collins with Rodon and Lucas, and hope Grandal can get healthy and manage 1-2 fWAR seasons over the final three seasons. 2020: $5.4M James McCann (1.5 fWAR) vs, $18.3M Yasmani Grandal (1.7 fWAR) 2021: $0.6M Zach Collins (0.3 fWAR) vs. $18.3M Yasmani Grandal (0.3 fWAR)

Give me some up-the-middle players please.