Chimpton

Unfortunately minor muscle injuries are to be expected when someone returns from a long layoff to elite level sport, a minor league rehab stint can only bring a certain level of match fitness but playing in the MLB is a bigger test. That is why I was disappointed that an experienced catcher wasn't acquired on deadline day, as Grandal will be lucky to stay totally healthy, calf injuries are hard to clear up and as a catcher his calfs are under more stress than in some positions.

Agreed, players returning from long injury layoffs often pick up niggling little injuries as their body isn't attuned to top level sport.

Lucky the Central Division is so poop otherwise the 8 game lead will be gone in about 2 weeks.

I hope we don't see this line up ever again; the Royals look like the team 8 games up in the division.

I thought Yermin was also bad at catching?

Thanks, it was a shame England didn't win the final but penalties are always a lottery!

Thanks guys, your answers make sense to me now, and helps explain why Eloy is in LF.

As I have said before I am a UK Sox fan whose baseball knowledge is ever in need of improvement, so forgive me if the answer to this seems obvious. Reading many threads about players or possible trade targets certain positions such a 1b and RF are often associated with being positions you put or want power hitters. Is that because those positions are relatively easier to play so a less mobile power hitter is 'safer' in those positions? Indeed does it matter, if a first baseman is a good contact hitter but lacks power is that as bad thing, will it hinder his chances of making it at MLB level?

Any ideas what Yermin was referring to when he apologised for “the fruit of my immaturity.”? And he says he was stepping away from baseball "for a while". Do you think he has done something that has not come to light yet? I hope not for his sake as the first few weeks of this season were like a dream for him.

Stop holding back, tell us what you really think of them!

I would argue beating the Astros and a series win was more important psychologically for the team. We may not even need a closer tomorrow!

If Burger is so good that he has to play no matter what maybe he could play catcher as well to replace Collins and Zavala!

I might just have to change my username now!

Leury Garcia gets a lot of criticism on here, but as a switch hitting utility player he is more than useful as he is versatile in the field and whilst not the best hitter is not the worst either. Every team needs a good utility player, the fact that Leury has ended up as a virtual everyday player is down to injuries in so many positions that he can cover. Obviously he has flaws but if he didn't he would be a regular starter earning more money and not covering virtually every position in the field and hitting too high in the order. I would rather have a Leury Garcia who at least looks like he cares than a journeyman veteran just collecting a pay cheque.

I think this tweet might be could be b*llocks per source. Don't hold me accountable if it isn't but credit me if it is!

Speaking from England, things aren't as bad as the figures suggest, the infection rate is going up, but the hospitalisation and death rate has not risen as fast as before because of vaccinations reducing the impact of covid if you do get it. The survival rate for double vaccinated people is very good even with the new Delta variant. But the big question is how the removal of all covid restrictions will impact rates after July 19th.

Ratings are always crap, I would be happy if these idiots gave the White Sox B+ and we still made the World Series.

True I forgot the starters have had a good first half, and the situational hitting does seem better than recent years.

No problem

Thanks this is a great help to improving my understanding of the situation.

I wasn't moaning about wanting more homers it was a genuine question about how important homers are in achieving post season success etc. If the White Sox win without homers I will be just as happy.

Thanks I didn't notice that one, although again the slugging percentage is very similar to 2019 and down on last season's short effort. Team batting average the White Sox are 4th overall so maybe a combination better hitting and more extra base hits is behind the team's good first half?

I am happy, it was a genuine question about whether or not home runs really matter that much, can a team hitting so few home runs do well in the post season? Pardon my apparent ignorance of these things, I'm an English White Sox fan who is trying to learn the more detailed aspects of the game and sometimes my questions may be a bit obvious to you guys!

Despite being in first place and with the biggest lead in the MLB the White Sox are 24th in team home runs, compared to 3rd in last season's abbreviated effort, and 25th in 2019. Was last season just an aberration in a shortened season? Or has missing Jimenez and Robert affected us that badly? And finally does it really matter as long as runs and wins keep coming?

I may be proved wrong so don't dump on me but I think Moncada and Abreu will improve when Jiminez and Robert are back in the line-up, at the moment the production pressure lies heavily on those 2 and in the past Abreu has chased balls and extended his strike zone when he lacked support around him. Moncada's lack of power this season could still be a legacy of covid as it can have a lingering affect on some people, but the real question is if not Moncada who is a better (realistic) option for 3rd?