South Side Hit Men

With two games to go: 720 1/3 Innings Andrew "Wild Thing" Vaughn (Also Top SoxTalk Choice 33 votes) 287 Innings Field (Eloy Jimenez is the winner among several players in the "Field" category 2 votes) 110 2/3 innings Leury Garcia (Leury was needed elsewhere 5 votes) 84 1/3 innings Jake Lamb (Leader among post March 29 "non Cuban" acquisitions 9 votes) 17 innings Adam Engel (sad season for Adam 21 votes) 0 Innings Cuban-American Romy Gonzalez played 7 innings for the White Sox in LF, but was already in the organization and part of the "Field" voting option (1 vote).

I would consider Michael Kopech (3 innings) or Reynaldo Lopez (3-5 innings) over Keuchel at this point for a playoff opener/start. Keuchel would actually be a good contrast to Kopech for once around the lineup after Kopech opened. Can also cover a large deficit, unexpected injury or a game into the 11th + inning.

Kershaw is likely out the season, exiting tonight after 42 pitches with left forearm discomfort, which sidelined him for 2 months earlier this season. https://theathletic.com/2862760/2021/10/02/dodgers-left-to-grapple-with-possibility-of-a-clayton-kershaw-less-postseason-doesnt-bode-well/

Reading that article, Preller and Tingler remind me of this scene from Boogie Nights.

The Chicago Cubs tied the all time MLB record for most batters sent to the plate on Friday. Trent Giambrone became the 51st Cubs batter on 9/29 when he pinch hit for Scott Effross in the Top of the 8th inning, and singled to Left Field. Erick Castillo pinch hit and ground out, Catcher to First Baseman, in the eighth inning in a 9-0 Cubs win over Pittsburgh on 9/30. Cory Abbott made his first career MLB start on Friday 10/1, after six relief appearances with no at bats earlier this season. Cory had an infield single in the third, and struck out swinging to end the 5th inning. The Cubs have two remaining games to set the all time MLB record of 54. They are currently tied with the 2006 Washington Nationals for the National League and all time MLB record, and also the 1915 Philadelphia Athletics for the all time MLB record. The lone other update involves the Miami Marlins, which sent their 51st batter to the plate when Luis Madero in his 7th relief appearance this season and major league career. Luis made his first plate appearance, bunting out on a force out, pitcher Brad Hand to shortstop Francisco Lindor for the force out at 2nd base in the sixth inning of the Marlins 12-3 loss to the Mets on September 30th. Number of Batters used (1 + plate appearance) 53 MLB Record - Tied (Current NL Record 53 (2021 Chicago Cubs & 2006 Washington Nationals) & Current AL Record 53 (1915 Philadelphia Athletics)) (51) 2021 Miami Marlins (50) Two way 2021 Tie: New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers Pitching Standings through September 24th (All teams 2021 except for the 2019 Seattle Mariners): (42) 2021 New York Mets (NL Record & co-MLB record) 2021 Baltimore Orioles & 2019 Seattle Mariners (co-AL Record & co-MLB record) (41) Arizona Diamondbacks & Tampa Bay Rays (40) Los Angeles Angels (39) Chicago Cubs & Los Angeles Dodgers (38) Toronto Blue Jays

Live Las Vegas Odds from the Westbook: Lucas Giolito -265 over Matt Manning Jake Odorizzi -160 over Paul Blackburn Other games: Chris Flexen -172 over Jhonathan Diaz Alek Manoah -233 over John Means Also, the Dodgers score 4 in the 5th to tie the Brewers, remain on life support with the Giants still leading the Padres 3-0 to start the 8th. Seattle down 1 in the bottom of the 7th.

Around the horn: The Philadelphia Phillies clinched their first winning season over .500 since 2011 with their win tonight. The Baltimore Orioles need to salvage a win in their final two games, and the Arizona Diamondbacks need to sweep Colorado, to avoid becoming the 22nd / 23rd teams in MLB history to lose 110 or more games in a season. Baltimore would also become the only franchise with four 110 + loss seasons (Saint Louis Browns 1898 & 1939; Baltimore 2018). The expansion era New York Mets (1962, 1963 & 1965) are the only other franchise with three 110 + loss seasons. The Tampa Bay Rays need one more win to become the 23rd current franchise with at least one 100 win season. Expansion teams Colorado, Miami, Milwaukee, San Diego, Texas, Toronto & Washington are the other seven teams.

Yoan with his team leading 31st double of the season.

Dusty will definitely get second guessed if he continues to rest many regulars tomorrow, and they get swept. I'd play my starting lineup tomorrow, you get three days rest if you win one, lose the travel day by just winning one of two. Far more valuable than resting 5 days before a game. I understand today, after celebrating yesterday, but Bregman, Alvarez and Correa need to play the next two days, or until they win a game. Oakland isn't going to lay down for them, they hate Houston more than the Sox. Matt Olsen goes deep to make it 4-1.

Oakland cleanup hitter Chad Pinder (yes you read that right) hits his 6th home run of the season. The A's up 2-1, Houston now batting in the bottom of the 5th.

That's how you get revenge, Tim! Also, credible criticism is fine, calling Moncada "The Weakest Link" on the White Sox is absurd. As you were.

Josh Harrison knocks in Tony Kemp to tie Houston at 1, did not score more. Game enters the bottom of the 3rd. https://www.mlb.com/gameday/athletics-vs-astros/2021/10/01/632279#game_state=live,game_tab=,game=632279

OK, Phil Rogers

MLB breaks down two, three and four team wild card tie possibilities: https://www.mlb.com/news/american-league-wild-card-tiebreakers-explained

Yes, the proper way to stick it up Detroit's you know what. Runners on the corners, keep the line moving boys.

Houston’s AAA lineup up 1-0 and batting in the bottom of the second.

Bruce Bochy is a prime a candidate to restore order next season. Wish the Sox would have signed Bruce or Hinch last year. https://www.eastvillagetimes.com/padres-are-discussing-bruce-bochy-as-an-option/

Astros in rest mode tonight (Altuve, Brantley, Gurriel, Tucker, Maldonado out) after celebrating the Division Title yesterday. Bregman, Alvarez and Correa expected to rest tomorrow. Framber Valdez on the bump, A’s going with Manaea. 1. Jose Siri (R) RF 2. Aledmys Diaz (R) 1B 3. Alex Bregman (R) 3B 4. Yordan Alvarez (L) LF 5. Carlos Correa (R) SS 6. M. Gonzalez (S) 2B 7. Chas McCormick (R) DH 8. Jake Meyers (R) CF 9. Jason Castro (L) C

I liked the A’s as well, even though they were in the Sox Division. Rickey Henderson and their uniforms had a lot to do with it. Same colors as my High School uniforms (St. Patrick HS), liked them in Grade school as well. I respect, don’t hate the A’s except when they are pounding the Sox in Oakland, a tradition which must end this decade.

There is only one credible answer, to lead with your Ace.

Manny Machado is like a boat. You are happy the day you buy it, happier the day you sell it. Rather spend the money on the Sox core.

Fuck the Arlington Heights / Wrigley Field / Decatur Bears. Create a Chicago franchise the city can be proud of, which can succeed on the field.

The 1930s (won the series a single season) and 1940s (two series wins) are the primary reason. By year

The Detroit Tigers are the only division rival the White Sox have a all time losing record against (1087-1111), time to chip away at those 24 games this weekend!