Chisoxfn

QUOTE (lostfan @ Jul 2, 2008 -> 08:16 AM) I'm a firm believer in the quality start - if you go 6 innings and haven't given up many runs, that's enough for the team. If you have the lead, you should win when you come out, 6 innings is a fair expectation for a starter most times. If he goes more than that, all the better. Danks certainly has his fair share of quality starts, and not the borderline 6 IP 3 ER ones either. Quality starts are great and put your club in position to win the game, but I'm a bigger fan of a 7 inning 3 ER start because I think that puts the decision in the hands of the pitcher. Again, I'm a bit nitpicky there and am always happy with a quality start, but love it when our guys go 7.

The club is hitting terribly with 2 outs and runners on, but aside from that, this offense has really been rock solid. Heck, can we hope this offense performs like the 06 offense did during the first half of the season (which was one of the best offenses I've seen on the Southside ever and that says something because the early 2000's had some pretty amazing offenses).

QUOTE (joeynach @ Jul 2, 2008 -> 01:39 AM) Expected Wins and Losses (X W-L). The mlb.com standings includes the X W-L, which is defined as "Expected won-loss record based on runs scored and runs allowed, using this formula: RS^1.82/((RS^1.82)+(RA^1.82))". We have scored 408 and given up 320. Our record is 48-35, our X W-L is 51-32, the best in baseball, and 1/2 game ahead of the cubs X W-L of 51-33. Just kind of a interesting stat. Some other notables, the Angels are 50-34 and have an X W-L of 43-41, the indians are 37-47 and have an X W-L of 43-41, and the A's are 45-38 and their X W-L is 48-35. I guess its a matter of luck so far, but the sox are facing two teams here before the break that should have more wins but have been slightly unlucky. It makes sense to me. Heck, I remember at least 7 to 8 games where the only reason the club lost was because they absolutely failed to do some very easy fundemental things. Luckily this hasn't really occurred much the past month so I think they are getting that sort of stuff straightened out (with exception to the failure to get in the key run in game one of the Cubs series in Wrigley).

QUOTE (Lemon_44 @ Jul 2, 2008 -> 07:48 AM) there aren't too many managers that are going to take the bat out of the hands of their 3,4,and 5 hitters.So he happened to hit into a DP,that happens. You didn't want a bunt in that situation di you? If they do bunt,which would rarely even be considered, they just walk Thome to load the bases and set up another potential DP or force out. If it was the 9th inning or even 8th inning I wouldn't have even given a damn if the Sox pinch hit Dye and put in Pablo to drop a bunt. But in the 6th inning I see no issue (and 99.9% of the time this is the case, regardless of the inning) with sticking with your big bopper. Afterall, these guys are paid to knock in runs and they do a damn good job of it. I do agree Dye should be going the other way, but Cliff Lee completely PWNED him that at bat (and you got to tip your cap to Lee for that).

QUOTE (lostfan @ Jul 2, 2008 -> 07:35 AM) It's just sad to me that wins are actually a metric that people use, and the first thing people look at. Danks should have 10 or 11 wins now and it's not his fault he's a 5 game winner, and it's obvious when you look at his stats. Wins = useless. Still, while Danks has been amazing in terms of limiting runs and he's definately been hurt by the lack of run support you can put some of the blown games or no decisions on him because he has had a good deal of outings where he doesn't go deep into games which than puts it on the pen earlier and just increases the likelihood of the decision falling on someone else. That above is why I do believe you can't just ignore wins. Obviously it is dependent on other factors, but there are certain things pitchers can do to step up. Plus, sometimes you have to just cinch her up and hunker down when you know you have a lesser margin of error (ie, facing a tougher opponent or when your going head to head with another ace). Danks last night...now thats one of those games where he was completely jobbed, but you could say the same thing about Cliff Lee.

QUOTE (The Critic @ Jul 2, 2008 -> 07:04 AM) My guess is Quentin and Dye make it. Middle relievers are often ignored in favor of closers, so I think Linebrink gets jobbed. Quentin and Dye should be locks if they don't fall into massive slumps. Linebrink has a good chance if they grab a setup man but they may go with closers (Jenks has no chance, imo). The other sleeper would be AJ who is easily one of the best hitting catchers in the AL. At 3B, I can tell you Arod and Longoria both would get the nod over Crede to me (I'm giving some Dray love).

This thread has been cuban missiled!!!

QUOTE (maggsmaggs @ Jul 2, 2008 -> 06:40 AM) According to the Trib, the Sox are gonna give one more effort to sign Kyle Long. Some Sox brass are going to visit him, which is definitely a good sign, I don't think the Sox would do this if they had 0 shot to sign him. Like someone said, the Long's must still have the door open pending on the bonus money. This is fantastic news. Kyle Long is very very raw and a high high risk draft pick (the odds of him panning out lesser than the typical guy with his type of ability). However, if all went right, you are talking about a potential middle of the order bat (I still say he projects better there) with massive power potential (something our system actually lacks, despite the power we have at the major league level). Even if they fall short they have a chance to have the groundwork set for what could happen a couple years from now.

Betancourt is in. Quentin is up.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 1, 2008 -> 07:11 PM) We'll get the hot dog eater, I believe. I wonder if Koboyashi will reclaim his title on Friday (isn't it the 4th where they do that competition or is that like Labor day).

Another stellar inning by Linebrink. Middle of the order due up for the Sox. Please don't get homer happy...nice short swings and make Borowski or whomever comes in throw strikes.

Come on Linebrink, no walks.

Phew...2 outs.

Thats big, leadoff hitter gone.

This was Danks best start on the season, imo. Hell of a job Danksy. Too bad the offense jobbed you again. Tough luck that this guy doesn't have at least a few more wins. Hopefully they can at least pick up a team win tonight!!!

QUOTE (bmags @ Jul 1, 2008 -> 07:02 PM) well heck I just want some dingers how bout you all? Lets get 3 out here and than a walkoff Sox dinger

yes Brian...I don't care if it wasn't a hit. That was a great approach to RF.

Tremendous fastball and he ties his career high in K's with 8. 93MPH....WOOT

That was the worse pitch he's thrown all game. Damn near paid for it too.

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 1, 2008 -> 06:56 PM) Luckily Garko was just barely out in front of that. Nice to see Danks limit his pitch count tonight. Danks use of his cutter was the reason Garko didn't park that. He's done a tremendous job pitching inside most of this season.

Great job by Danks. His cutter in on the righty enabled him to get the easy out with that what is typically a hittable pitch (and thus getting the hitter out in front to the point where instead of hitting it out, he hits a routine fly out).

QUOTE (fathom @ Jul 1, 2008 -> 06:53 PM) I really disagree with Danks going back out there. He doesn't have much experience, if any, pitching this late into the game. They have 3 straight righties up this inning, it would be a good spot for Dotel. He's got to get experience sometime. We can question all day whether now is the time, but hell, there is no better time than now. He's pitched great and if he gets beat it can be a learning experience and if he does good it can be something to build on. I'm glad he's out there and I hope he kicks some more ass.

Maybe i'm blind, but Lee has looked pretty good to me. He's really changed speeds often and hasn't thrown a ton of fastball (which is the typical MO). More importantly on top of changing speeds he's taken control and used the inside of the plate to set up his outside stuff to righties. There were two innings where we had a chance and even than it was just as much because the Sox hit some solid pitches (or were able to get ahead of the count but for the most part, Lee has been throwing strikes).

Going to the 8th. I'm thinking Danks comes back out, but with a very short leash.

Stinks...broken bat single. Come on Danks, get through 7. Crede will be the untyer.