South Side Hit Men

They wait until after the Wild Card games, and release the final schedule based on television’s preferred time slots. The Dodgers / Cardinals also throws a monkey wrench in terms of the difference in time zones for Games 3 and 4. Games 4 and 5 are always tentative, based on the number of games remaining. Since MLB views the Sox, Houston (and most of all Tampa Bay in the AL) as garbage, and the Yankees and Red Sox as the American League’s two premier teams, the Tampa vs. Wild Card will likely have the prime time slot of 7-8 EDT for all games. As I type this, MLB is seeking a path for both Boston and New York to advance, perhaps suspend Houston for cheating years ago and just slate Tampa to host Boston, and Chicago to host New York, the latter in Iowa. Rob Manfred’s Playoff Cheering Chart: New York AL Boston Los Angeles NL Saint Louis San Francisco Chicago AL Houston Atlanta Milwaukee Tampa Bay

I like the Opening Day and pre ASB idea, the former only because they abandoned the traditional Reds opener. I think it could work for the final series of the season (8 EDT/5PDT Fri-Sat, 3 EDT/Noon PDT Sunday). They should not do this beyond these five days. They should also make the final day or weekend free on MLB.TV as they did previous seasons (but not this year).

The Chicago Cubs placed Wilson Contreras on the IL today, and called up Tyler Payne. Tyler made his major league debut in the top of the fifth, striking out swinging pinch hitting for Cubs starter Alec Mills to become the 55th Batter for the Cubs this season. Tyler remained in the game replacing starting catcher Erick Castillo, and also struck out swinging in the top of the seventh, before the game was called after seven innings due to rain. The New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles did not use any additional pitchers, to finish the season tied with the 2019 Seattle Mariners with the all time record of 42 pitchers used in a season. Thank you for following along.

Kopech up in the bullpen.

Teams can just run at the White Sox at will. Pitchouts are meaningless.

The bad news, the Twins are up 5-0. The good news, it doesn't matter, they will finish the season in last place in the AL Central.

That's terrible. Tragic weekend for the Dodgers and it's not even done yet. Rather win it vs. everyone with their best teams.

Injuries, or lack thereof, all that really matters today. You lose Robert, forgetaboutit.

Not a fan of DHing Robert, just give him the day off as well. First sign of rain pull Robert, Tim and Yoan. Grandal is tricky cause you don’t have a third catcher, would have liked to play Collins and had Grandal DH or rest, so he could serve in an emergency.

Baseball needs relegation now more than ever.

The Chicago Cubs on Saturday, October 2, 2021 set a 146 year old MLB record. With the likely institution of the Designated Hitter in the National League next season, the record will likely never be broken. Park Ridge, IL native Tyler Ladendorf pinch hit for Cubs starting pitcher Adrian Sampson in the top of the 5th inning to become the 54th batter in the 2021 season. Tyler ground out to third baseman Nolan Arenado as the first batter. Tyler was two batters shy of hitting for a second time in the inning, before he was replaced by Cubs reliever Trevor Megill to start the bottom of the 5th. Below is a chart of how this record progressed over the 146 year history of professional baseball. Hitters (NL & AL - 1 or more plate appearances in a season) 54 Chicago Cubs (1876-2021) (NL 2021 70-91 & ML Record with one game remaining) 53 Philadelphia Athletics (Philadelphia 1901-1954; Kansas City 1955-1967; Oakland 1968-Current) (AL 1915 43-109-2) 53 Washington Nationals (Montreal Expos 1969-2004; Washington Nationals 2005-Current) (NL 2006 71-91) 51 New York Mets (1962-Current) (NL 1967 61-101) 50 Detroit Tigers (1901-Current) (AL 1912 69-84-1) 49 Brooklyn Dodgers (Brooklyn 1884-1957; Los Angeles 1958-Current) (NL 1944 63-91-1) 46 Pittsburgh Alleghenys (Pirates 1882-Current) (NL 1890 23-113-2) 46 Philadelphia Phillies (1883-Current) (NL 1939 45-106-1) 45 Saint Louis Browns (Milwaukee Brewers 1901; Saint Louis Browns 1902-1953; Baltimore Orioles 1954-Current) (AL 1911 45-107-0) 43 Washington Senators (Washington Senators 1901-1960 & Minnesota Twins 1961-Current) (AL 1909 42-110-4) 39 Baltimore Orioles (1901-1902) (AL 1902 50-88-3) 36 Washington Nationals (1886-1889) (NL 1886 28-92-5) 35 Cleveland Blues (Guardians 1901-Current) (AL 1901 54-82-2) 31 Philadelphia Quakers (Phillies 1883-Current) (NL 1884 39-73-1) 29 Philadelphia Quakers (Phillies 1883-Current) (NL 1883 17-81-1) 26 Detroit Wolverines (1881-1888) (NL 1881 41-43) 24 New York Mutuals (1876) (NL 1876 21-35)

Congratulations @Tnetennba, You have tied my 6 game thread win streak as the longest of the season. I hope you take the record solo tomorrow, and go 11-0 in the Playoffs!

White Sox 5 Detroit 4 - Final @ Comiskey Park II Moncada, Tim and Sheets with the offense, Lucas, Burr, Foster, Bummer and Liam with the pitching.

Yoan has 3 doubles and a home run since being called the White Sox' "Weakest Link" in the game thread last night.

Yoan Moncada dabs on SoxTalk AGAIN!!!

I love Yoan.

He can return to the sports he is better suited to cover after tomorrow.

Yoan “The Weakest Link” Moncada extends his team lead in doubles.

Dusty wagered 1 million toothpicks on this game.

Save your energy Vinnie, Jerry already found it.

Padres trying to keep LA’s hopes alive. Hoping Washington comes back not necessarily for chaos, I just hate the Boston and their teams. PS - Why is this stupid Cubs game on instead of the Astros or Sox game on Fox?

Jerry is not giving up the gate and parking revenue, they will play both on the respective days if they get a two hour window for each game, regardless of playoff impact.

Westgate Las Vegas Sportsbook Odds (11:26 AM CDT) American League #2-#3 Seeds Chicago 92 Wins (Giolito -270) over Detroit (Manning +240) 6:10 PM CDT Houston 93 Wins (Odorizzi -154) over Oakland (Blackburn +144) 6:10 PM CDT American League Wild Card Race New York 91 Wins (Montgomery -129) over Tampa Bay (Baz + 119) 12:05 PM CDT Boston 90 Wins (Houck -145) over Washington (Gray +135) 3:05 PM CDT Toronto 89 Wins (Manoah - 250) over Baltimore (Means + 220) 2:07 PM CDT Seattle 89 Wins (Flexen - 176) over Los Angeles Angels (Diaz +163) 8:10 PM CDT National League West Race San Francisco 106 Wins (Gausman -157) over San Diego (Musgrove + 147) 3:05 PM CDT Los Angeles 104 Wins (Urias -132) over Milwaukee (Burnes +122) 8:10 PM CDT