Look at Ray Ray Run

yeah, Sox would be crazy to start a top 20 starter in baseball this year because he doesn't dominate in every single start.

tim has personal problems?

No, please. You and Joe are on a roll. Tell me more about how they prepare, and how much they care... and what exact leadership qualities you haven't seen with your inside look at the clubhouse and practice and etc. I'm on the edge of my seat. People think that trying hard and success are the same thing. It's hilarious. Guys, just try harder and you'll do better. everyone knows that.

Another guy online who knows how to identify a good leader in professional baseball while sitting home on his couch. Amazing stuff.

Good thing they didn't stretch Kopech out because they were all set at SP and needed another set up man.

It's absolutely amazing to me that you think you have any idea the level of work this team and players put in to prepare.

Looking forward to the White SOx sweep. Please post your houston ticket before the series starts so i can unload on the Sox. If there's one thing more wrong than how the sox have played, it's you when proclaiming something bad about the team and what is guaranteed to happen. Sox win WS now; thanks Joe!

Relievers are so volatile except for a couple of the best of the best in their primes. Kimbrel had already shown major regression over 4 years..he had one nice 30 inning stretch. Ill never get over the fact that we could have had Kimbrel for FREE in the off season and the cubs would have likely paid a little salary to trade him. 3 months later were trading two nice pieces and paying the bill..unreal

And it was so easy. Trade for Escobar and bryant and Iglesias if you really wanted a reliever and it likely would have cost less than the price they paid for the three they got.

Imagine giving up two solid pieces for the right to pay a closer coming off two bad years 16 million dollars to be your set up man.

I was told kimbrel was unstoppable and the greatest piece the sox could possibly have acquired

He was hitting 98 at the game I was at his past start. I think he's "healthy" but his arm isn't bouncing back after starts in the same fashion as he's a bit worn down from pushing this innings number.

Didn't the Rays just lose 2/3 to Detroit, getting crushed in one game and 2 out of 3 to the Twins losing one game like 12-0? Problem with the Sox isn't that they lose sometimes - all teams do. It's that when they're in positions to win they have not capitalized/maximized those positions. They appear content with their divisional win and don't really seem to have a desire to get home field which, to me, feels really really short sighted and stupid. We've been "resting" guys for over a month now. It's not Football. This entire "get healthy" for the post season thing has led to.. well, let's not try to actually win games because maybe someone might possibly get hurt.

what does how cesar and kimbrel perform have to do with having a healthy team? lol If those guys hadn't sucked, the Sox would have a much better shot at home field throughout the playoffs. Again, the Sox didn't trade these assets for playoffs only. Those games aren't even guaranteed.

I wasnt a fan of his approach change this year at all. The decent OBP guy before was a more reliable piece. Trading for Cesar Hernandez for "pop" never made any sense.

Was really hoping to be wrong about this and Kimbrel. Sadly both have been a train wreck.

I tried to tell @ron883 right here!

He was never a power hitter who sold out for power that wasn't sustainable?

Cesar and kimbrel have done almost nothing positive. Goodwin has been fine when put in position to succeed.

Goodwin has a 140 wRC+ vs righties. He has a place

I really don't understand why Tim couldn't take an at bat in the ninth. This team isn't very good on the road. I have no idea why they've decided to coast into the playoffs and not push for home field.

I might have been wrong, Cesar might actually be worse than leury. Another guy trending down that rick had to have.

The White Sox can hit the ball and they can miss the ball.

Revisionist history? We discussed this the day they made the trade there was way too much risk for a guy who had been inconsistent and not what he once was.. and that trading for a guy at his absolute peak value was a terrible decision. Just because the media told you they got the best player available doesn't make it true. This was bad process since day 1. No one pays their 8th inning guy 18 million and gives up assets to do so.

First time they've made playoffs back to back seasons ever so it's great.. but it's hard to deny that not playing a meaningful game for 2 months really is kind of boring. I'd almost rather be in a race as crazy as that sounds.