South Side Hit Men

Of the Sox pitchers, I don't believe any had a more dramatic decrease in spin rate, outing over 2021 average, this month than Dylan Cease's last outing against Pittsburgh. Dylan Cease vs. Pittsburgh (first game for Dylan after inspections began) Four Seam Fastball -259 Slider -185 Knuckle Curve -148 Changeup -104 Wonder what comments Josh has in store for tonight, or if Cease's lack of sticky may hit Josh in his big fat mouth. https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/gamefeed?date=6/23/2021&gamePk=633569&chartType=pitch&legendType=pitchName&playerType=pitcher&inning=&count=&pitchHand=&batSide=&descFilter=&ptFilter=&resultFilter=&hf=playerBreakdown#633569

This bit sponsored by Oberon, official wheat beer of the Chicago White Sox (except for Jose). Yermin knocked in 3 runs on Sunday. and has hit in three straight appearances (4 for 9). Worth repeating the outfield from yesterday, or swapping Hamilton (the Sox fifth OFer) for Goodwin (DFA candidate in July/August) in the lineup.

Projected lineup: SS Tim Anderson CF Brian Goodwin ^ 3B Yoan Moncada # 1B Jose Abreu C Yasmani Grandal # LF Andrew Vaughn RF Gavin Sheets ^ DH Yermin Mercedes (or perhaps White Sox Ohtani, SP Dylan Cease, bats for himself) 2B Leury Garcia # On the Bump for the Twins, RHP Bailey Ober, who gave up 4 runs in 4 innings against the White Sox earlier this year. RIP Ken Ober!

He also called him a fucking ass, said if he has something to say to say it to his face. Lucas also said he didn’t see or hear it during the game until someone showed him afterwards. Not the first time for Donaldson. Fits the mold to be a future Royals manager.

Tony made things too interesting leaving in a gassed Lucas in the 7th, yet again, and bringing in Marshall, one of the worst three options (Foster and Ruiz the other two contenders). Nice to see Sheets with a solid game in his debut, Giolito battling through the weather and some early trouble. Vaughn had a great game, Burr as well. Twins now 12 1/2 back, scratching to stay out of the cellar. Nice for them they don’t fave to worry about losing to the Yankees this postseason.

Nice play, almost got him at third.

WTF, another ninth inning hbp in the foot

Andrew Vaughn shouldn’t start against Righties.

Would like to see Hamilton in defensively to end the game, shift Goodwin to RF.

Of the season.

Tony happy, Hendriks save opportunity in place. Time for the push button Birr Bummer Hendriks.

Marshall in, Tony trying to get Hendriks a save opportunity.

Time to cut bait, no sense punching it with this lead, the heat, the delay. Visions of the Detroit game where Tony couldn’t tell that Lucas was gassed still haunt me.

Ah, not a knock on Lucas. Their starter sucked ass. Their baserunning sucked ass. Their hitters sucked ass.

God do the Twins suck ass.

Actually, he was overpaid for past performance. That generally is how FA works. https://www.fangraphs.com/players/dallas-keuchel/9434/stats#value

Yes, to summarize: Phase One: Collect Underpants Phase Two: Trade Rodon, Lynn and Keuchel. Trade Yoan and Madrigal, demote Vaughn and Yermin. Start Lamb, Goodwin and Luis Gonzalez everyday against RHP. Phase Three: Profits / World Series

Kyle "Not Worth The Squeeze" Schwarber did it again. #FreeBritney

Per Cots Contracts, he needs 320 IP combined in 2021-2022, and 160 in 2022, and also needs to pass a physical after next season. That said, he’s doing what the Sox signed him for (eating up innings), pitching decent (perhaps not $18m / yr worth, but decent enough) and isn’t a health concern. Point stands there is no team currently in baseball who is willing to take on that contract in 2021 if the Sox were in fact trying to move him.

What ML team is going to take on Keuchel’s salary for the next three seasons? The Mets and Dodgers are the only two teams who don’t give a crap about the bullshit luxury tax, and they have no need for him. The Yankees, Cubs and Red Sox aren’t taking on a penny.

Lucas is on the mound, so Collins is catching. Thinking Vaughn Hamilton Sheets from left to right. Want Abreu to rest a bit, but he told Tony yesterday he’s not going to sit.

Not to mention this staff has worked for decades under Herm Schneider, who is still employed in an advisory role. This team has historically had one of the best injury rates in baseball. https://www.mlb.com/press-release/white-sox-announce-changes-to-athletic-training-staff-301579312

The weather should be fine tonight. Wish they would have tried to replace the game today or tomorrow, dying for baseball with three off days in eight days. https://weather.com/weather/radar/interactive/l/Chicago+IL?canonicalCityId=51327091448a763db3e0093b240009381d87952467e6c2ba8bad55f1328ec986

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Actually Tony is leaving it up to Jose according to Tony's post game the other day. Hahn needs to take charge here and have Jose rest a bit, at least a day or two, for health and performance. June isn't Willis Reed Game 7 time, it's one of an 162 game grind.