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Alrighty folks, that was some game with many interesting moments, insights, and outliers. After taking in my first in person game since 2021, I figured it would be good to share with the board. In no particular order: 1.) For the first time in a long time, this team has energy. We are no longer languishing in between LaRussa naps or Griffol false bravado. Will Venable is lively, youthful, and already is demonstrating wisdom. Before the game during BP he was jogging the bases, tossing balls at camera men, and was focused yet loose. When the team was down by 1 run heading into the ninth inning, he came down into the dugout from the top step and huddled up the guys. While we didn’t end up scoring we loaded the bases and had opportunities to score. 2.) The youthful energy exposes one of our greatest weaknesses: Lack of experience. With a runner on third and Colson up with one out, all he needed to do was get the ball in the air. Sam was on third and was like a dog pulling on a leash to get his toy at home. He would have scored on almost anything hit in the air. Instead of making contact, Montgomery struck out. 3.) Erik Feddie and Anthony Kay will not be in our starting rotation IF we are in serious playoff contention come August. Smith will need to smooth his command and be called up as a back of the rotation option and we will likely need to trade for another arm. 4.) These guys never give up and have a belief in themselves that has been a gaping hole in years past. ( Speaking of years past, it was such a joy to rag on Yoan Moncada. I know he heard me and the bum deserves an ear full until he is out of the league where his premadonana ass belongs ). 5.) When Teel is back, he will bring another dimension of winning ball. He is the Paul Konerko like approach oriented example others on the team need to learn from ( Vargas and Montgomery, here’s looking at you. ) 6.) Our bullpen looks like a real strength and it is so nice to have a new coaching staff around the team. It shows in the dugout and on the field. 7.) It was nice to see Will be quick to make changes to the lineup when the game dictated it. Though, I questioned his preference for Kelenck over Grechic AND wanted him to pinch hit Romo in Quero’s spot at the games end. Bottom line: This game was confirmation that we are moving in the right direction… fast. It will only get better as these players get maturity, get reinforcements from more call ups, deadline trades, and returning players from the IL. I had thought we would see a playoff run by 2028 but this team has me thinking next year we will crack that milestone ( if there’s a season ). Hell, if the cards fall in the right spots and Vasil’s wand works its magic… we may see THIS team in the playoffs… And to even be having such thoughts at this point in the season… it is a welcomed surprise. Check back tomorrow for a reprise.

If we were to cull out all posts that have nothing to do with the signing of Grichuk, this thread would be one page. Every damn thread devolves into this crap. About the Grichuk signing, it's fine. Not exciting, but if it keeps a few others from getting playing time and allows Hays to heal up, it's fine.

About to turn this one off. Good thing we decided to punt yesterday.

Bido is on, I think you folks have the rest of your afternoon/evening free now.

We all know who our best three starters are, and one of them is on the bump today. I expect a WIN today. Mune back starting where he belongs. Colson at short where he belongs, Vargas at third where he belongs, Acuna......

Way too optimistic but appreciate the info.

Stop me if you have heard this one before...

The walks are more frustrating than the hits

Adding Teel, Montgomery, Bonemer and Roch in the next 1.5 years to the big league lineup will be quite refreshing.

that's why you don't give your A lineup a day off in a fucking series winning night game ballgame

If only you were allowed to wear sunglasses while playing baseball.

He also takes his son to games as well.

Funny, I don’t think I even mentioned Bonemer or Cholowsky. 🤣

Jr appears to have one goal in mind now at this stage of his life, maybe...maybe two, in my opinion; Leaving as much money as humanly possibly for his family when he leaves the scene One last effort at helping to break the MLBPA in the forthcoming lockout

This is now the 3rd time you or Cali have insinuated that posts on the internet are driving decision making or changing outcomes of a major league team. Now theyre victims of it. I can only hope youre being facetious.

Not the problem nor the solution. just mehhhhhhhh

9 XBH, hitting .269, .342 OBP. He isn't the issue right now, only 24, not even 600 ABs in the MLB.

If he hollers loud enough, the Bears will move to Hammond and that'll be the end of NFL football in Illinois. Period. Chicago is NOT getting a 2nd NFL team. If Chicago's mayor successfully tanks the Bears bid to build a stadium in Cook County because it's not within the city limits, then it'll just reinforce the image of Chicago as a place that drives businesses out of state.

Jedi vs. Sith Panican vs. Anti-Panican WestEddy vs. SS2K

Are you a glass half full or half empty kinda person? Sox are currently a game outta 1st place and a game outta last place.

Caleb Bonemer with another 3 walk game. 2nd time in 3 games. 0-1 with a SO and 3 walks. I wonder if they're just throwing him junk and pitching around him at this point. Promote the dude already.

We need you in the stands in SEA. Looks like we need a new hitting coach after today

Schriffen already said this earlier. 🤣

Gotta challenge that call in this situation

This ump is awful.

Shoulda sat Murakami today and not yesterday.

Jerry had to be talked into signing him. JR will not sign him long term.

Urena was vulnerable earlier in the game but he really found a groove. He's made a lot of good pitches and the changeup is a seriously great pitch.

Hopefully Peoples is up Friday

Why haven’t they released this guy yet?

Complete and utter meltdown for the rookie.

Forgettable day for Noah, but I'm not too concerned about him. He's got some stuff to work on but ultimately a lot of unlucky bounces burned him up early in this one. As for the team in general, my benchmark continues to be avoiding 100 losses. That's looking more likely. It's a real MLB team that will have good times and bad times.

Bido in to ruin Noah’s ERA

Lmao. Flush it

Think I am done for the day lol

Yes, that's like hopefully 15 WAR and will vault us up to around 85. Few smart FA signings and some pitching health and we'll be fine, but right now we're still a pretty bad club overall.

Looking very much like 70 win team today. All aspects poor. Started with only getting 1 in the 2nd.

Brutal DP by Benintendi.

The Panicans are coming, Tra la la, Tra la la.

Oh and correct me if I'm wrong, but did Kelenic giving up the extra base end up changing things very much? At least a couple more baserunners after that, right?

Bummer didn't generally have guys drop transfers and pop ups. He got squibbed to death.

So does Colson lose 5 runs of DRS?

I dont know if I've ever seen a pitcher have that bad of luck in any inning ever.

This game for Noah is mostly defined by unbelievable luck by the Angels with soft contact. But for the rest of the game, I'm watching the sweeper. He still isn't locating it well at all and it's making him more predictable than he should be. He either misses it badly or throws it up in the zone when he appears to be aiming for the back foot. That's part of why D'Arnaud felt comfortable going up there and waiting for a high 4-seamer.

couldn't turn DP and then Kelenic adventures not helping him.

Jesus dude. Josh Naylor

He definitely feels like a guy who will be pushed out of everyday playing time with the group of infielders coming up (plus Roch)

I'm pleasantly surprised they seem to have already realized Acuna sucks and he's now a super sub. Usually it takes them three months to move off an obvious failed offseason addition.