South Side Hit Men

Sox have been bet down based on the odds both in Vegas where I just was and the Illinois sports books. $100 to win $1,030 were the best WS odds I saw, but most were in the $800-$860 range from a $100 bet.

I do as well. Despise "Chi-town", but good with Chi, script looks sharp as well. Like Quin's hat picture as well.

Just seems odd baring an unknown injury to Yoan to give him a routine day off for your groundball pitcher starts. Lamb didn’t play bad at third the few games he played there. Now we will likely see Hamilton inserted into the game in the fifth or sixth inning, with Leury and Hamilton attempting to hit back to back in the lineup, whereas you could have kept Lamb (3B), Mendick (RF) and Hamilton (CF) in all game, and let Leury get a day off (or several). Hamilton’s defense far outweighs any possible slight batting advantage Leury may have.

I’m not the target audience for these, but outside of the number font, these are actually solid. Feared they would be atrocious like Boston’s, which looked like bicyclist uniforms. Liked the multiple comments trashing the god-awful 1983 Jerseys, I’d support every player taking the scissors to those uniforms. May as well wear the Einhorn e caps for a cherry on the 1980s era turd Jersey sundae.

Why is Lamb not playing the one defensive position he may actually be able capable of playing? Mendick played well in RF. Would also start Hamilton over Leury to help cover the OF, especially with Lamb out there.

I liked the intentional balk by Kimbrel. Surprised more pitchers don’t do this in the ninth up more than a run. https://www.audacy.com/670thescore/sports/chicago-cubs/craig-kimbrel-intentionally-recorded-his-first-career-balk

Or a Rape Crisis Center after Daryl Boston.

Yes, and he underperformed in the role (.319 OBP / .748) as compared to his batting in other lineup spots (overall .359 / .892), albeit in a small sample size. I believe he can settle in as a solid #2 when he returns. The Sox are fortunate their #1, #3 and #4 hitters are healthy, they all work well in their respective roles. The Sox really don't have a solid #2 option on the current roster.

Yes, only the 8 hole has had a lower OBP this season (thank you "Everyday" Leury). Eaton has been the primary #2 hitter this season. https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/split.cgi?t=b&team=CHW&year=2021

Well, you’d have transparency and proper job delineation in a properly run organization. Sadly, we are fans of the Chicago White Sox. A manager should have input into their coaches and players. I’d say Ricky had zero (coaches) to minimal (player) say. Tony appears to have above typical input based on the acquisitions, with Lynn, Hendriks and Lamb definitive prior history with Tony Lynn was the best player acquisition since the tanking trades (Katz overall best acquisition), while Tony obviously liked him, give Hahn credit for getting the deal done. Also, there’s evidence the Sox were interested in Lynn last Summer. Jerry may have already determined at that point Tony was going to be hired in October, and Tony may even have given Jerry input on players last Summer, buts it’s just speculation at this point. I believe it’s universally accepted Hahn was opposed to the La Russa hire, in a range from disappointed / upset to furious.

Michael Scott has nothing on Tony in the gaffe department.

Reminds me of Michael G. Scott if he grew a stache.

Hawk’s criticism of umpires would at times border on overkill, but his barbs at Joe West were warranted. Angel Hernandez is the only worse umpire I can recall of the top of my head.

No Cardinal fan involvement. Not surprised an Illini fan was involved.

Wonder if Tony deems Engel worthy of playing time, ahead of “proven” veterans like Leury Garcia, Billy Hamilton and Tony’s “Franchise Player” Jake Lamb. I’m hoping Engel can crack Tony’s lineup more than once a week this Summer.

I’m on record as not being a fan of the large contract given to Grandal, and while his walk stats are inflated regularly hitting ahead of a AA / AAA hitter (Leury), he’s doing the right thing not chasing garbage pitches. He’s far superior to Collins, and since La Russa has zero interest in playing Yermin behind the plate, he is the best regular option behind the plate in terms of hitting. Collins works well handling Rodon’s pitches. If Lucas can successfully work with Grandal or Collins, that’s the only other Starter who may be theoretically better with an alternative to Grandal defensively. Would like to see La Russa at least attempt to play Collins with a proper platoon split for non Rodon starts.

Smells Like Wrigley Doublemint Gum.

Is it Jerry Narron’s job to retrieve Tony and return him to the White Sox dugout after he inevitably wanders over during the game to Cardinals dugout?

Does Hahn appear on their flagship radio station outside of perhaps a “White Sox weekly” prerecorded segment before SoxFest? On the score, Theo and now Jed appear regularly to face real questions and provide real answers. Very informative and entertaining as a baseball fan, even though I’d much prefer hearing from the White Sox GM.

McCann was valuable as the only active pitching coach on the staff during his time here. With Katz here, McCann’s role would primarily be as Lucas Giolito’s personal catcher.

Abreu has a good handle on the strike zone. The difference between the two is Jose takes it upon himself to carry the offense, and will swing if there is a chance to knock in an important run. Grandal most at bats is content with letting a pitch go by, and let the next guy try to knock him in. Sadly, the next guy in 2021 is typically Leury Garcia, a prime reason why Grandal’s walk rate is well above his career norms. It won’t be sustainable once real ML hitters return to hit behind Grandal, and pitchers bother to pitch to him. Grandal SO/BB 2018 124/72 2019 139/109 2020 58/30 2021 32/37

Based on several player tweets last week, they largely tune Tony out / ignore him. The problem is he makes the lineup and calls upon the bullpen. Im hoping he steps down after passing John McGraw for the number two spot in early Summer. I agree with the assessment the bullpen has two significant handcuffs (Kopech and Crochet) in terms of availability. This is exacerbated when they pull Kopech out of the bullpen to start, which has already happened twice. There should be a ninth reliever and four man bench (Bye Jake), but one can only speculate what, if any, say Hahn has with Tony there. At least with Ricky, there was ongoing dialogue and manager accountability, including FO involvement in the lineup and pitching plan for each playoff game.

Asking for a favor, which others may appreciate as well. Did the Sox broadcast mention whether Eaton in LF was a one time event, primarily due to Yankee Stadium dimensions, or did they or La Russa pre/post state the Sox are looking to create flexibility with Eaton in LF? Would like the option of Engel RF Robert CF Eaton LF in Sept/Oct. Thanks in advance.

Ricky Renteria 5-4 the Bronx. Tony La Russa 0-3. Guess the Sox will have to wait a few years and hope Tony is gone before the “multi championship” window closes. As long as Tony is happy, that is all we should be concerned with.