South Side Hit Men

Couldn't have imagined March 15th Andrew Vaughn would lead the team in OF games played, and Hamilton and Lamb who weren't even in ST camp as NRIs would be 4th and 6th, respectively. Never an outfielder as of 3/15/21 Not on the White Sox 3/15/21 Outfield Games Played Vaughn 54 Eaton 52 Garcia 41 Hamilton 35 Robert 25 Lamb 20 Engel 9 Goodwin 8 Williams 3 Gonzalez 1 For those blaming the White Sox trainers, this is a leaguewide phenomenon.

Surly a baseball writer should understand pairing pitchers with catchers goes far beyond placating a pitcher’s “feelings”. Pitch calling, feel, confidence a catcher can catch their best breaking pitches in the dirt. These are some of the factors involved. These are also among “The elite” Grandal’s many weaknesses. It’s why Rodon and Giolito have had far greater success with the “non-Grandal”option when they have pitched at their best. This is why teams, including the White Sox, pair catchers with pitchers when a comfort level is reached. It’s a far more important factor running a baseball team than concern over placating fan’s feelings regarding lineups.

Manfred’s two primary concerns were to make it go away, and cover up as much as possible, especially any and all knowledge or participation by Houston’s scumbag owner, who also took no action when this took place under his “stewardship”, and in fact supported digging in and their bullshit response. If MLB had any integrity, Jim Crane’s ass would be on the street with Jerry Richardson and Donald Sterling. Jim Crane had nothing to worry about, MLB has absolutely zero integrity.

It’s possible the Sox do this, but they have been consistently pairing Collins with Rodon and Lucas. Since the battery faces 20-30 + batters per game, versus 2-3 individual at bats, I agree with the team’s strategy current pairings. The catcher’s most important contribution to a game is his work with the pitcher and defensively. They can also pinch hit for Collins once Lucas is out, allowing Grandal to catch the final innings and then tomorrow to retain his pairing with Cease.

It's time for an extended White Sox winning streak. Lucas Giolito takes the hill tonight, coming off of two no decisions (both White Sox wins). He is the designated stopper tonight. The opposing starter is Tyler Anderson, Pittsburgh's LHP who has lost his last two starts, and has won once since April 21st. The White Sox are 20-18 all time, 9-11 on the road against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Starting Lineups will be posted later today. My projected starting lineup is: SS TA (R), CF AE (R), 3B YM (S), 1B JA (R), LF AV (R), RF LG (S), 2B DM (R), C ZC (L), SP LG (R). Bullpen Usage is linked here, with Foster the only pitcher who may be restricted tonight after 33 pitches on Sunday. Go White Sox!

Well, there's at least one manager paying attention to more than unwritten rules in Chicago.

I’ve heard of Pall Mall, but haven’t heard that Donn Pall was a color commentator. For how many games? Been fortunate to like the radio team for the most part since the 1970s. Can’t say the same for TV since the 1980s. Hope Len and DJ stay a very long time.

Hoping the Cubs sweep Cleveland, sticking close at least with Civale on the mound, their only SP still standing at this point. They showed the first pitcher inspection, Alzolay got hi fives fro teammates after passing. Doubt umps will check inside Cease’s pants based on previous replays of him digging around his crouch during previous games.

If JR is not going to take on salary, than sit tight and hope Eloy and Robert return productive later this season. No need to piss away Crochet to get done short term rental because JR and his pal TLR won’t be around for much longer.

GFY with your condensing bullshit. I correctly refuted your points. You don’t have the ability to read what’s in front of your face, don’t try to insinuate what I am or am not saying beyond what I wrote. The Sox aren’t the only first place team going through important injuries. If you followed and understood the sport you would know this simple fact.

I'm talking about 2020, not the current rotation. Keuchel was lit up, they had no third starter, almost beat Oakland anyway because the team didn't quit. Mets have lost their entire outfield, their second and third best starters (Syndergaard and Carrasco), and De Grom has been pulled early his last two starts due to injuries, this after coming of a previous DL stint. Tell me where the Sox are at without Rodon, Lynn and Giolito, in addition to losing Robert, Eloy and Engel. Madrigal is not one of the three most important White Sox players. Hell, he isn't even close to being one of the three most important infielders on the White Sox. Injuries are "biblical" this season, its impacting most teams.

https://theathletic.com/2663422/2021/06/20/assessing-the-white-sox-after-a-good-old-fashioned-butt-whooping-in-houston/

Houston is without Kyle Tucker bWAR 2.5 and Alex Bregman, no Verlander this entire season, and their next best pitcher (Valdez) only with five starts on the season. Cleveland has given away Lindor, Carassco and Clevinger, is without their ace (Bieber) and all other starters except Civale, is without both starting catchers, CF and DH (second best hitter). Yet they are gaining ground on the White Sox. Mets lost even more, still in first. The Padres have lost a ton of players in the best division in baseball, still right there. Never heard all of these excuses last season when Eloy was out, they had one good starter, no available third starter for the playoffs. Dusty Baker’s team was ready to play, Tony La Russa’s team was ready to concede.

The radio team travels, but then again Jerry Reinsdorf doesn't own ESPN 1000, who is footing their travel expenses. WSCR is working to do the same for their radio team, but are held up due to the Cubs not hitting the 85% threshold (a threshold controlled by MLB owners). Jerry has far more money than the folks who own ESPN 1000 to pay for his announcers to attend games live. Same with the other Team/RSN owners screwing over the folks paying crazy ass cable bills. Baseball attendance: Declining Cable TV Subscribers: Declining World Series Viewers: Declining "My formula is I charge you more, and give you less."

Sox Math: Kyle Schwarber 61 Games, 18 HRs, 0 SHs vs. White Sox entire OF (Garia, Goodwin, Vaughn, Eaton, Lamb, Engel, Mendick, Hamilton, Robert, Williams) 320 Games, 25 HRs, 13 SHs.

Nice, beer helps while watching the Sox this weekend. You’ll like NG Dancing Man possibly more. Folks keep fretting about this hitter or that hitter. The starters (Cease, Lynn and Keuchel) are the bigger concerns coming out of the weekend, with Lynn’s huge drop in spin rate the highest point of concern in terms of bouncing back. The bullpen beyond Hendriks continues to be a concern. Don’t hear the bragging about how elite they are that we heard in March. The good news is they are playing teams with even bigger holes through the All Star Break.

Tony is carefully managing Lamb’s playing time to take advantage of the most favorable matchups. If they tried playing him most games, both his hitting and lack of defense ability will be exposed. Bottom line is this team is not going anywhere without Eloy, Robert and Abreu hitting at all cylinders. If Abreu is able regain some of his MVP form and connect with fastballs, and if Luis and Eloy can contribute at least near what they are capable upon their return, then this series will be just a blip and irrelevant when we are watching in October. The more important concern coming out of this series is the pitching staff. Is Katz / Tony turnaround based on guys pitching with spider tack, and will they be able to put out good teams in October. Lynn, Keuchel, Cease were all owned this weekend. That is the main concern leaving Houston, IMO.

Qualifications: Manager with recent postseason experience.

Dusty Baker and Tony La Russa have each won 102 games against each other. They should settle this in the octagon, no rules, not even unwritten rules.

He has, and I hope he does, but the usual theories (he starts slow, it’s cold out) aren’t in play. Improvement of plate discipline will help, whether he can regain catching up on fastballs or not. Sometimes he tries too do to much, in an attempt to carry the team, and it works against him.

So is Ruiz

Come on Vaughn, do it again!

Abreu is really scuffling, going way beyond the strike zone. Should hit Collins here for Yermin.

“I just made sure Bobby Jenks didn’t jump on me.” -AJ while commenting on video of Game 4 2005 QFT