South Side Hit Men

Not even Porky Pig, was as big a ham. Heuer tough as nails tonight.

Heuer should have yanked Abreu's beard after that lollipop throw.

This has been the funnest game to watch this year. Seeing the bottom of the lineup come through. Marshall coming in and slamming the door. Overcoming adversity, never quitting, giving fans a reason to watch all nine innings. Win or lose, it's a fun way to experience baseball, either as a player or a fan.

That ball might have made the concourse if it weren't for the wind, that held it up forever.

Ricky's Boys DON'T QUIT!!! Nice shot Eloy, way to come up LARRRGE!!!

Madrigal may be short, but his bat control and swing covers a lot more of the plate (and beyond) than many hitters. Loved that at bat there, hope they keep the line moving. Now that the bullpen is in, the Sox are still very much in it tonight.

Very nice at bat Yolmer! Hope the next batters take his lead, be patient with him tiring, and wait for a good pitch in the zone.

Learning to battle through and close out an inning. People b**** about the bullpen, which is actually doing a good job for the most part, but are worn thin from short outings. Giolito learning to pitch into the 7th on a consistent basis will help him and the club. The best pitchers in baseball do this consistently. Giolito isn't there yet, hope that one day he will be when he takes the next step.

It's for development. If you can't test a pitcher in games like these, you can't try for the first time when games really count. That was Ozzie's best attribute as a manager, making his players stay out there for one more consistently, have them test themselves. The staff was ready in the Postseason. Hopefully Lucas will learn from the outing, primarily the second inning when he was trying to be too fine with his pitches. The control left at the end when he was tired, but the second inning lead to running out of gas before closing out six.

I listen a lot on the radio but streaming online. Does Lucas always sweat this much? It's cold out tonight.

Mize-stro tonight, hoping third time through will net some chances.

Indeed, my favorite type of game. Red Sox vs. Yankees 4 1/2 hour ESPN 9 inning games, the opposite.

Sox hitters can use better discipline, but would say they are facing a very good pitcher tonight. Well pitched on both ends.

Was expecting to see Robert in the frame for the final out.

Would love an 150 minute 2-1 White Sox winner tonight. Looks like everyone wants to play a quick one tonight.

Hope the Sox can work some counts against Mize this inning.

He could and most likely would, with pinch hitters used the rest of the way in a close game. Would really hurt with an early injury, as 2-3 PH attempts would deplete the bench vs. a likely 4 or 5% chance a pitcher would reach base. Also impacts bullpen management in a close game, replacing pitchers due to pinch hitting vs. pitching considerations. The 2020 extra inning rules makes proceeding with the backup catcher at DH slightly more palatable, as the likelihood of a game beyond the 10th/11th inning is reduced,

I'd prefer a White Sox player (Abreu, Anderson, Robert, Keuchel, Giolito) win the Willie Mays World Series Most Valuable Player Award. Of the three primary contenders, Bieber's contribution is single-handidly keeping Cleveland in it, Abreu's support will be watered down with votes going to other White Sox. Joe Maddon's Angels are worse than Brad Ausmus', between that and Trout's WAR not sure why he is considered the position player favorite beyond reputation. One last comment. The biggest loss in run differential would be the loss of Robert, primarily because of the defense he provides and the major hole he is asked to cover. Anderson would be the next most difficult to replace. The offense drops off significantly without Abreu, but the Sox have a players at least who can man his position. I think there is a possibility Eloy Jimenez would suffer a tragic accident if he didn't have Robert to cover his position to the extent he does.

Would be nice to attempt to win the Division, but I understand the thought process of giving Reynaldo more opportunities vs. having a slightly higher win probability by going with Gonzalez to start. If this was a playoff game, I'd be spewing expletives, but it isn't, and Gio is a better option following an opener than vice versa, so it makes sense.

You can't DH him with no 3rd catcher. Abreu needs to DH more to accommodate.

Would prefer these regular lineups (baring injury or rest) for the remainder of the year (no platoon considerations except RF). Anderson SS Moncada 3B Grandal C (Keuchel / Cease / #5 Starter) or 1B (McCann starts) Abreu 1B/DH (DH when Grandal plays 1B) Jimenez LF Robert CF McCann C (Giolito / Dunning Starts) / Encarnacion DH (Grandal C starts) Mazara / Engel RF (Platoon Starts) Madrigal 2B

In either event, I will retain the ability to spell prophet.

Actual salary is $50M this season, and the White Sox are committed to nearly double ($89M) after the other FA money drops, assuming a full season and no negotiated salary reductions, or owner lockouts / player walk-offs heading into the off-season CBA. I don't believe there will be COVID clarity until scheduled Spring Training, at the absolute earliest, and possibly not until the CBA is over.

Hahn spent $17M on the last two Free Agents, EE and Cishek, already had Grandal, McCann, Abreu, Vaughn and Jimenez on the 40 man. By that time most of the big names were gone beyond the pricey Ozuna and Castellanos, and Hahn's Mazara gamble made better sense in terms of $s and flexibility. Brad Miller ($2M) & Jeremy Jeffress ($0.9M) were two low cost signings after the Sox were done that turned out to be good 2020 signings (both 1 year deals so FA again in 2021). https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHW/2020-transactions.shtml Hope Encarnacion finishes strong, but not strong enough for any temptation to pick up the club option (or sign outside of the option at a lower rate). Current 26 man roster options plus Vaughn makes Parrot expendable. I'll review the 2021 Free Agents and post good market and bargain FA candidates after the off-season. I don't project the White Sox to sign a $10M+ FA this off-season beyond the possibility of Colome, pressed in part due to the injury to Bummer. Taijuan Walker & Anthony DeSclafani may be affordable options to bolster the rotation at first glance.

Biggie Smalls is my nickname for him. Biggie Biggie Biggie Biggie can't you see Sometimes your bat done hypnotize me