hogan873

A) It's one game. B) Who gives a s%*#?

I stopped looking at X a while ago, before the season started, partly because of the number of uninformed baseball "fans". There are a number of groups on Facebook filled with trolls or truly uninformed people who became insufferable over the last three games. The number of people who believe Venable should be fired was staggering. Someone even said to bring in Don Mattingly. This was an amazing season that ended frustratingly. The pitching was gassed, and I think the whole team was beat. Venable is a manager of the year candidate (and likely top contender). Getz is likely an executive of the year candidate (less deservedly so). So many young guys exceeded expectations, and some veterans really stepped up. It's has been several years since watching the White Sox was fun. It was a blast this year. I can't wait for 2027.

I was at the season opener when the Sox and Shane Smith got obliterated by the Brewers. I was texting my son and said I predicted Fedde would be the ace of the staff. While he wasn't the ace, he was one of the most valuable down the stretch and into the postseason. I wouldn't mind seeing him brought back in 2027.

Ah s%*#. Ditka just passed away. Now the Sox need to go into Cleveland and win it for Da Coach.

No. Tampa will likely carve up either team.

To me, this series is our World Series. Making it to the ALCS would be a MASSIVE win for this team. They do not match up against the Rays pitching at all, and honestly I don't see the Sox nor the Guardians fairing well against them. It comes down to holding the Guardians to a few runs max. Burke looked awesome his last time out, and I am hoping for a repeat performance. Without scoring a few runs, the late innings will be a tightrope walk for the Sox. The bullpen is spent. They're going to have to rely on a couple guys at the end.

There's no doubt this pitching staff is gassed. Taylor and Smith for sure are on fumes. On paper, the deadline trades gave the Sox arms for the postseason. That obviously did not work...at all. We just need a few more innings from a few guys, giving up minimal runs and hope the offense does enough. Regardless of the outcome, it's been an amazing season. If it was any other team but the damn Guardians, I wouldn't care as much. But I hope they go into Cleveland and play like they did in games 1 and 2. Then cover the visiting locker room in champagne and beer again.

Every other divisional series was won on the road, so why can't the Sox do it? They won twice in Cleveland, they can do it again.

I don't think I could handle a tie game going into the 9th or extras. I'm hoping for a comfortable 4-5 run lead and a relatively stress-free 9th.

I know that no one expected the Sox to be where they are, and I am truly happy that they have had such a great season. But, damn, I need them to beat Cleveland...tonight. If the series goes back to Cleveland, the Guardians will have all the momentum. Beat them tonight, then go to Tampa and play your asses off. Let what happens happen.

It's crazy that one of the biggest weaknesses of the season is now one of the biggest strengths in the postseason: The pitching. However, I realize that Venable has been using the pitching staff like a bullpen with the openers, guys throwing to the minimum hitters, starters throwing for a couple innings, etc. Regardless, the pitching has been great. I feel good about Wednesday. The atmosphere is going to be electric. Pitchers should be rested. Offense is primed to explode. A blowout win would be nice, but I'll take any win.

Yeah, Mune was well on his way when he was interviewed. 😄

I have a beer walk on Saturday, going from house to house trying craft beers and eating food. As excited as I am about that, I hope each house has the game playing. Last year, several houses had the Cubs game on, and I got to see the Brewers beat the hell out of them. Regardless, I will be drinking a lot of Saturday...for one reason or another.

Well, Grifol sucked and Vasil is awesome.

This team is so much fun. The offense has been great all year, but the pitching has been hit or miss. The offense continued being awesome this series, and the pitching was nails. Big credit to Venable with the management of the pitching, too. I think if they take one in Cleveland, they win the ALDS. The atmosphere at The Rate will be incredible. The Sox should have the first home game be a blackout game again and wear their Southside jerseys.

Solid game all around. Pitching was great, although Newcomb continues to look shaky. Taylor closing it out and throwing 50+ pitches was awesome. He looked confident, and his pitches were sharp. They had enough offense to keep it from being a nailbiter at the end. Colson hitting the mammoth home run was nice to see, and hopefully that boosts his confidence. Now go win today.

The Sox can beat the Astros. It comes down to pitching. The Sox can't have their starter giving up 3-4 runs in the first inning or two, which we've seen too many times lately.

Kay would be fine for 3 innings or so against a LH-heavy batting order. Newcomb has been good up until his last couple outings when he's been mind-numbingly bad. Richards is meh. Castillo needs to be sent somewhere that is nowhere near the playoff roster.

He'll definitely be in the running. The deadline deals were not great, and while that's not all his fault, the Castillo trade looked bad from the get-go. Getz has had some success on scrap heap finds (Grichuk, Peters), and the signing of Murakami was a big win, his recent struggles aside. I think the success this year is more a result of the coaching staff and the players themselves. Sure, Getz assembled this team of guys who seem to absolutely love the game and each other. But, yeah, to your point, improving the team's wins by 20+ and make the playoffs? He'll be considered for AL executive of the year.

Moncada came across as lazy, but that could just be appearances. I would, however, look at how much Vargas has improved vs. Moncada's stagnant and eventual declining performance as evidence. To me, it seems Vargas really wants it - success, skill, the rewards. Moncada seemed to want the rewards only.

80+ wins - Successful Playoff berth - Very successful Win a playoff game - Very successful and exciting Advance past the first round of the playoffs - Holy s%*#

Massive improvement from the past three years and probably a couple years ahead of "schedule". That's a very successful season. But with the playoffs well within reach, it would be disappointing if they didn't at least get in via the wild card.

For most of the season, the Sox have been winning against teams they should beat. September has been a different story, but this past series was encouraging. Going into the KC series and playing like they need the wins is the necessary approach. It'll be nice to make the playoffs, but winning the division should be the goal.

Just win. Win the first two against KC, and the magic number could be 1 or even 0 by then. But they should still be fighting for the division.

Aside from the last few years, the Sox had higher payrolls. The problem has been they spend money on the wrong guys. They could have paid Machado or Harper and were apparently close on Machado. Other than reportedly being in on Machado, they haven't been "in" on major free agents. I think it's less about the dollars and more about the length of contracts.