vilehoopster

You mean like being up 6 games in the division on June 16th and now that's it's July 30th, they're down two games. Would it take a collapse like that? I'm not sure of the numbers, but best I can remember from seeing them in an article on MLB.com this morning. (Too lazy to fine the article again.)

I know he's got some struggles coming, and I'm not saying that Colson is going to be as good as the people I'm about to mention, I'm just making a statement about how much a big bat can make a different. But Colson, the way he's been swinging the bat and driving in runs with power since the all-star game, that must be what it's like to have a Judge or Ontani on your team all year long. Colson's big bat has made this Sox team so much better in these two weeks. It really shows, again like Judge or Ontani, how just one huge bat in the lineup can completely change a team.

All you guys with the "don't be embarrassed" or "not shellacked" or "small miracle", come on guys! Have some faith! Believe! Their guy is 7 & 3 with an ERA of 2.40. House has him bettered in both stats. Also, the Sox have scored 49 runs in six games (is my math correct?). They are hot and more likely to light up Imanaga as the Cubs get to Houser. C'mon; have some faith. And even if you don't feel good about the Sox in tonight's game, on this forum and on this day for God and the Pope's sake, Lie!!!

I think his tight groin is all about keeping Luis away from a tough pitcher and his not looking bad. I'm just guessing, but I would think it's like Shane Smith leg injury, just an excuse to give him time off without calling it time off.

Also, if you were going to trade for Houser, wouldn't you make the trade sooner, rather than later, like two days ago? If a team had acquired him say yesterday, that's two more starts you can get out of him before the end of the trade deadline. He's only for this year, so I would think a team would want to get every start they could possibly get from him? So if a team is struggling with starting pitching, they're probably hurting right now, and not just in ten days at the deadline. It's seems dumb to wait on this trade for a team contending for a spot that needs starting pitching.

Well, please let me reply in the same tone that you exhibited in your comment. So, I didn't say anything about moving Vargas down in the order but staying with him and giving him time? The giving him time and not giving up on him; it seems by other's less insulting comments that they agree. So, nothing about how well Tyler Alexander has been pitching and how we need to be giving him Smith's innings as the Sox reduce Smith's innings for a while? Nothing on that? I didn't mention that? Here's a crazy idea. Next time, instead of letting the computer count how many words are in a post, maybe your should read them? "Hey, Tony, what do you think of that book?" "I hated it!" "Really Tony, what didn't you like about it?" "Oh, I didn't read it. It had too many words."

Well, baseball sure can turn around on you. The two guys, who four or five weeks ago, we were debating which one would be the Sox all-star rep, both of them have really fallen into the crapper. But what can we do to try to get them both back? So, here are my suggestions to try to get some discussion going and give us something to debate until the game tonight. 1st for Vargas: I really don't know what to do about fixing him. His BA his last 15 games is (all my stats are off MLB.com) .127; for the last 30 it's .183 . . . ouch! I don't have a guess of what has happened, and I'm not ready to agree with the naysayers that May was the aberration, and last year and this last month is the real Vargas. But I am starting to consider they might be right. It's weird, watching the TV view from the centerfield camera, back in May, you'd see a good swing with good contact and it would go off or over the leftfield fence. The last few weeks as you watch, again from center camera, and he gets a good swing with good contact, and it doesn't even make it to the warning track, just a fly out to left field. I don't know. But what I do know is that the Sox have to pull him out of batting 4th or 3rd; he is killing them right now. Yesterday made it very clear, his results with guys in scorinng position are awful. I don't want the Sox to give up on him and believe (hope?) he can get it back together. But if the Sox care about winning games now and having a good showing against Cleveland, they have to move him down in the batting order. A month ago, I was complaining that he has no protection behind him; now he gives absolutely no protection to whoever is batting in front of him. 2nd, now Shane Smith: I do have a plan for him, and i think it would work. It would work to help the Sox win games going forward for now, and save on Smith's arm for now and next season. Smith's last four games have been terrible. In all four of those games he has given the Sox with their weak offense NO CHANCE to win. July 6 - Col -- 5 earned runs in 4.1 innings July 1 - LAD - 6 earned in 4.2 June 23 - AZ - 5 earned in 2.0 June 17 - Stl. - 6 earned in 4.1 -- all four, no chance for Sox to win. I think the thing to do is (at least for the next month to rest his arm) is to turn him into a opener, for one inning, maybe two. And . . . I know exactly whom he should open for -- Tyler Alexander. When people lately have been discussing great pitching pick ups by the Sox, no one seems to be bringing up Tyler Alexander. If you want a contrast to Smith's last four games, look at what Alexander has down his last five games: July 7 -- Blue Jays - 3 innings - no runs (again off MLB.com) July 1 -- Dodgers - 2.1 innings - no runs June 27 -- Giants (not so good) - 3 innings - 2 earned runs June 25 -- AZ - 1 inning - no runs June 20 Blue Jays - 4 innings - no runs There's no way around that: that's some very impressive pitching against some really good offensive teams. I think the Sox need to sit Smith down and tell him (all-star or not) that there needs to be some changes and they need to rest his arm. Tell him he will be the opener for two innings and only two innings, even if he's throwing a perfect game. So he knows he can throw hard and work just to get six outs. I think this would go a long way to helping him and keeping the Sox in the games that he's been starting. Also, it's a nod to Alexander on how well he's been doing and that he knows going into the game that he's got a good 3 or 4 innings to cover and he can prepare. I really think this would work for a while. Try it three or four times and see how it goes. I think this would give the Sox six solid innings of pitching and give them more of a chance to win Shane Smith's upcoming starts. Now about Meidroth, who has also really struggled his last 15 games . . . . I got nothing there.

I don't understand this stuff sometimes. It clearly bounced off the ground back into the mitt. What is the point of using instant replay and then ignore what it shows?

Is anyone else worried about Shane Smith because I am, both for this game and going forward for the rest of the year. If I'm correct, he's had three BAD games in a row. With the light air in this stadium, I could see him giving up 4 or 5 runs in the first couple innings. Hasn't he done that two games in a row? Three? It seems that his arm is really tired. If I were the Sox, I'd be keeping a very close eye on him today, and keeping Tyler Alexander ready to pop up very quickly. More and more lately, it is really starting to seem like Alexander is another nice pitching pick-up. I know it's a small sample size of him pitching well, but it is trending up, while Smith is really trending downward. I hope I'm wrong and Smith pitches five great innings, but I would be ready to get people up.

Where is he going to play. I assume that it has to be SS. So then that moves Meidroth to 2nd. Does Sosa sit?? That would really bother me. With Vargas struggling, the Sox have only 4 or 5 real major-league level hitters, and Sosa is one of them. Are they gonna sit Sosa so we can watch Capra and Rojas bat??? I really think that's what's gonna happen; they sit Sosa; this and keep putting Rojas and Capra out there.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/the-measure-of-a-fastball-has-changed-over-the-years/ So, this article shows that some of the posts after mine are correct. That yes, where the pitch is measured from makes a huge difference, but using whatever stats/ tech, baseball has been able to get a universal velocity to measure back against/ over time, and this shows for various reasons stated in those above posts, that clearly pitching speed has/ and is increasing. The conclusion was that since 2008, pitching speed in the majors has increased from 91.9 in 2008 to 94.2 in 2023. But here's a question, is that because fewer pitches are off-speed and more pitchers are just throwing it fastballs? Is that factored in?

So on last nights Dodger's game thread, Southsider posted this: "The issue is that the average dude out of the back of a ML Bullpen in 2025 throws harder than all of those dudes. In fact, almost every starter in baseball can bring a standard Nolan Ryan 95 mph fastball, or better. The league average is just under 95 today. 20 years ago it was about 90. If we get back to the 1930s when guys were going 300 innings, it was expected to be in the low 80's. A sorry Nick Nastrini dropped into the Babe Ruth era would be the GOAT. It's about effort, not length in 2025. There is a reason no one ever tried to get Usian Bolt to run 9.7 pace for 26 miles, and that is it is impossible. It's the same with starters. If you are going to throw harder, your outings will be shorter." So here's my question about how all the pitchers are throwing so much harder today, and something I remember hearing and reading that seems to be completely forgotten nowadays. But wasn't the reason (somewhat sudden) for the increase in pitchers's speed/ mph not really from the fact that pitchers are throwing that much (any?) harder; but it is that MLB changed from where the pitching speed is being measured. It used to be that pitching ball speed was measured from in front of the plate, but now it is measured from when it leaves the pitcher's hand. I googled it and that is what happened, and the reason why where the ball mph was changed by MLB was to make the measuring more uniform. And some estimate that the ball slows down between 10 or more mph in that 60 feet. I googled it (take that for what you will) So really, by doing that, MLB was maniputating a stat, trying to make it more dramatic under the guise of making the measuring of the stat more uniform; it's the pitching equivilant of juicing the ball or moving in the fences. So really, they're not throwing harder (or that much harder) today. And if Nolan Ryan had had his fastball mph measured out of his hand instead of a few feet in front of home plate, it's a pretty safe bet that he was throwing well over a 100 mph.

Not being one of those who just complain and try to bash Getz, but really having some optimism for the future. I would say (right now, at this very point in their development) in Vargas, Teel, Meidorth, healthy Tauchman, and Quero; that the Sox have five position players better than anyone they had on the entire roster last year (Well, maybe not a healthy Benitendi).

I am not a huge Schriffen fan, but I have to admit, while he was out and McKnight was doing it, I missed Schriffen, missed him (I was surprised). I didn't realize how much I enjoyed his enthusiasm and his being such an optimistic homer (If you know me from this board, you know I'm an optimistic Sox homer). I think his enthusiasm is contagious. Yes, yes it is tough at times to hear him repeat this or that over and over (the Vargas swing change) or his trying to BS us (Michael A. Taylor is a smart veteran). But for me, at least, he makes the game more enjoyable. And I would not have guessed that was the case. On a different topci: and I've said this on here before, I don't get the dislike/ hate for Steve Stone. He just seems so knowledgeable on the game and sometimes he is able predict things to the point where it seems uncanny. It happens over and over, Stone will say something like, "If he throws this pitch outside, he can come inside with the next one and strike him out." And damn if not two pitches later that's what happens, Stoney does that all the time. There was a better example in yesterday's game. Stone complemented Noda on not following the runner on first towards 2nd base on his lead and getting too far from the line. Stone said something like, "A lot of 1st basemen make that mistake." Then two pitches later the batter screamed one towards first, and Noda was right there, three feet from 1st, to get the out. Stone called that exactly and it happened. It just seems he's really good at stuff like that, and I think it always makes him interesting to listen to.

Thanks for starting this thread. I've been wanting to say this. With winning this series, the Sox have made me the happiest that they have in a long time. Back in spring training, the Sox were playing the Giants and there must have only been a Giants feed for me to listen to: so I was listening to the Giants announcers and during the game, these Giants announcers had such a total disdain, contempt for the White Sox players and organization, it was just so obvious and insulting. It's hard for me to remember a solid example of what they were saying, but it was pretty much stuff like, "Well, with an at-bat like that you can see how they had the worst offense in baseball last year." Or stuff like, "They lost 121 last year and with these kinds of plays on defense, you can see how." Or maybe, "The set the record for losses last year and they've done nothing to improve that record for this year" (That topic came up a lot.). It just struck me as incredible that these announcers kept saying stuff like that, and what made me even more angry, is that the Sox, at that time when I tuned in, had a lineup loaded with minor league guys, not their regular guys. So, as soon as I turned it off, I went and looked on the schedule and was glad to see that the Sox were playing the Giants, and I was immediately looking forward to the series. Every time I'd be watching the Sox and a Giants' score would come up, I was looking forward to this series. Well, thank your White Sox for coming through for me and winning this series. As yesterday's game was winding down in the 9th with the Giants' last couple at bats in the 9th, I turned on the Giants radio feed just so I hear those same announcers. It was somewhat satisfying to hear them (they couldn't give the Sox any credit) complain about bad at-bats (ironically) and what a tough week it's been and that the Giants need to turn it around before their next series. So, thank your again for starting this thread so I could point out a little bit of pride for me and our White Sox fans, and one more time complement the team for winning this series against a good team, just a team not as good as their radio announcers would like to think.

He has clearly gone full Moncada and Eloy. Why even fake like you care and you want to play, just say you have a sore hamstring, keep saying it and you can sit out all year and collect your money. But who cares? Even with MAT being the dumbest player the Sox have had in a while, he's still better than Robert. With Vaugh gone, and Sox can pay him off and dump him and the incredible stink of all those under achievers will be gone. Good riddance . ..

This is a good question. Is it Vasil, too soon?

This is a no-risk, no downside signing. The odds of anything coming from it, I have to believe, are very, very small. But we'll see. As has been pointed out, all the young arms are going to become tired out soon. Some very soon as seems the case with Shane Smith. The Sox need people to cover innings. I don't like it, but Clevenger seems like he will be one. So maybe Thor too . . . They're gonna need arms. Has anyone heard anything on Martin Perez? Is there any realistic hope he could be throwing by July? End of July?

I didn't say that these players were great. I said they were great signings, achieving or exceeding what they were signed to do at a very inexpensive cost (a requirement). Don't change or manipulate my words; let's play fair here.

So on your list, you left off Houser. I forgot; is Houser 5 for 5, or 5 for 6 in quality starts since the Sox signed him with that ERA of 2.27? Some one implied earlier that Houser is now of no more value than he was when the Sox signed him. That's ridiculous. He is much more of a commodity than he was when he signed with Sox. Also let's discuss some people on your list. Amaya was exactly what the Sox signed him to be: a strong glove and weak bat who would just hold a place until Colson came up. What the Sox didn't expect is that Meidroth was the one who took over at short for Amaya, not Colson. But again, Amaya was a good signing doing what the Sox expected from him. Over and over again Stater and Tauchman have been great signings for the Sox this year. (Wait I don't see Tauchman on your list of signings. Hmm, it must just be an oversight on your part. Not your manipulating stuff to make your point?) Tauchman, pre-2nd injury was going to get the Sox a great flip, and Slater has done a great job. It could be argued without Slater, the Sox might very well have been swept by Toronto. In 1st win, he scored two runs and knocked in 2 runs. Yesterday, that walk was key, very key. Taylor has also been exactly what the Sox signed him to do. Again, it's ironic that he's actually better than the guy he was signed to backup, so really, he's probably exceeded what the Sox signed him to be. Wait why isn't Shane Smith on this list as an example of the Sox pro scouting. Again, I assume it's just an oversight on your part. Also, what about Mike Vasil? That was a very good (great?) signing. Why isn't he on list? What about Matt Thaiss? He was an excellent signing!! Held a spot in the lineup until until both Teel and Quero were ready to come up, and then the Sox flipped him for a quality prospect. What a great signing. Again, not on your list. Now, of course there are some duds, as you listed above, but if you look at ALL of the signings, you have to be impressed with the Sox pro-scouting/ signings this year. Hopefully your next bit will not have the oversights and omissions when you try to make a point.

A couple things: You guys should realize who are all excited about Baldwin's stats and how well he's hitting down in Charlotte and want to bring him up because he's a hitting machine. Well . . . Jacob Amaya is hitting .464 down in Charlotte (that is true; I looked it up on two different sources), and remember Elko was batting .350. So, big time raking doesn't see too difficult down in Charlotte. On a different point: I don't know if I want to give him an entire season to show what he can do, but I'd like to give Elko, at least, until August. He just has so many positives: He is so athletic (stole the weird base a few nights ago), unlike Vaughn, he can score from 2nd on a single; also, he seems to play a great defensive 1st base; and he has over 30 home runs a season potential. The Sox NEED power soooo badly. Let's see if he can provide some. He had three at bats last night that were just terrible; I admit that is true. But let's not just give up on his potential and say he's a AAAA player yet, or even for a while yet.

So here in Indiana, And when i googled streaming CHSM, I seem to have two choices. Does anyone know if I am correct and these are both legit? One is for a FUBO sports package for $30 a month. The other is just CHSM for White Sox only for $20 a month. Is this second one legit. I would rather just get this. Does anyone have CHSM White Sox only package for $20; does it work?

I like this line up.

I agree with this. Everybody keeps talking about Colson and Ramos coming up. Where are they going to play? You can't sit down Vargas or Meidroth, and I don't think either one has a bat close to as good as Sosa's. I don't know why everyone seems to dismiss Sosa; he's really doing a good job this year with the bat, and I am, at least, as confident in his defense as I am with Colson or Ramos.

I pretty much agree with this proposed lineup, but I not confident in Robert's improvement yet that I want him batting behind Beni. Beni is really getting walked a lot lately because he has no protection. I like Elko and want him playing, but for today, can Slater play 1st (does he play 1st) and bat behind Beni; just for today. But I want as good of a lineup as possible for the next two games, none of our good bats resting yet. They get Monday off. So, no Capra and no Palacious unless situational for today or Sunday.