hogan873

Tim has the skills, that's obvious. But what makes him so good is his understanding of the game and his work ethic. He also has a ton of attitude, and he uses it for good. He's a leader on and off the field, picks his guys up, and is probably the biggest cheerleader on the team. I don't know what I expected out of Tim when he was drafted, and even once he was brought up I didn't really know what the Sox had. The jump he made from 2018 to 2019 was startling, and he's gotten even better in 2020. He's not just the best SS in Chicago, he's one of the best PLAYERS in baseball. He makes every game exciting.

I get it, but it's about more than playing better. It's about putting together better teams. Too many teams are tanking each year, and some seem to be always tanking. I just think that more availability to post season play will create more competition. Anyway, if there ever is a Sports Czar, I'm throwing my hat in the ring.

I realize I'm in the minority, but I like the expanded playoffs and hope it sticks. Even with eight teams from each league making the playoffs, teams still have to be good. Finishing in the top two of a division is not easy, especially if you have three or more good teams (like the AL Central this year). I would think that giving more teams an opportunity to make the playoffs would reduce tanking and create more competition throughout the season. Without expanded playoffs, in a 162-game season, there are a number of teams that are out of it by June/July and some teams that are essentially out of it before the season even starts (I'm looking at you, Pittsburgh). More playoff teams doesn't render the regular season meaningless, it makes it more meaningful. More teams have a chance, which means more teams will take it seriously and put better products on the field. If the expanded playoffs stick, the Sox are now not just contenders for the next 5+ years, they are pretty much a playoff team for that time period...at least. Just my opinion. As far as the parings, it does seem goofy. If expanded playoffs stick, I hope they make some adjustments.

That means I'll have to root for the Cubs for a few games. Gonna need some more beer.

With that big leg lift, we could call him High Kickin' Nick. Or just Magic Nick.

The strike three call was a strike, but I think he was arguing about the at-bat in general. I don't have a problem with him arguing here and there. Every player will do it. He made a few base running mistakes the game before, and he took responsibility for them without using the phrase "rookie mistake". The guy hits, rarely strikes out, and has shown to perform under pressure (2 strikes). He's better than I expected, and probably better than most expected. If we're spending pages b****ing about him arguing an at-bat, we're really digging to have something to b**** about.

Fun game to watch. Moncada is looking more like himself. That running play for that slow grounder was outstanding. He's really good at the difficult plays, but sometimes struggles with routine throws. Regardless, he's an asset over there. Eloy's catch was great. The most amazing part was how fast he ran. I don't think I've ever seen him go after a ball that fast before. McCann is making it hard to justify him not playing every day. That said, I would expect him to be on the bench on Friday. ? Dunning looked very sharp. It's amazing that he can fool so many hitters with a 93 mph fastball. Hidden among all the other good stuff was the huge two-run single by Madrigal. Two strikes, two outs, bases loaded, and he does what he does: Hits the ball. Making it a five run lead was huge at that point. I'm starting to think this team might be good.

Uncharacteristically bad inning for Marshall.

Cordero’s arm will fall off by then.

I see RR trying to lose this one.

It's scary, in a good way, that he's nowhere near his potential. Steve Stone was saying last night that he swings at 60% of the pitches he sees, and that will have to change. He still needs to learn about plate discipline and how to lay off bad pitches. As he learns, he going to get better and better.

I had stepped away from the game for a minute, and I heard my son yell, "OH MY GOD!" He ran downstairs to tell me about Robert's home run. What a blast.

Probably the main reason Yolmer was brought up. Dancing for dubs must go on.

No, no he isn't. Most fans recognize that he has struggled most of last season and all this season so far. This needed to happen.

Thought I remember him being pretty good with the Cubs a few years ago. But, I do remember reading he has struggled since.

I think we're upset because of all the good things listed in the OP. We were on such a high with so much good stuff happening that a shitty game like yesterday looks REALLY shitty. But, yes, the sky is not falling, the season is not essentially over. And I agree with the posters that said many of us thought 2020 would be a good year, but not necessarily a playoff year. Winning 4 or 5 of the next 6 will make yesterday's game seem like what it was: One game.

Yeah, he was on a roll last night. He's as tired of seeing the clown show as we are.

Bad baseball is contagious.

Steve is grumpy tonight. But he’s right about the pace of the game.

Sleepwalking.

I was just going to say this. Maybe it would wake these shlubs up.

Steve sounds pissed and Jason sounds bored. Team stinks tonight.

Looks like it’s time for another b****-out from Keuchel.

He has shown flashes of being a very good pitcher. But I think you hit it on the head: He seems afraid or tentative to throw. I do think a lot of his issues are mental. He needs to stay out of his own head.

I agree 100%. However, because we're so excited about this team is why we are even more excited about the future. My son and I were made fun of terribly by my wife and daughter (and others) when we were saying 2020 is going to be the beginning of the window for the Sox. I don't know how many times I heard, in a mocking voice, "2020!" over the past year. Now here we are, and this team is even better and more exciting than we thought. It's hard not to think about what this team will be like in 2021, 2022, and beyond. I'm having more fun watching baseball now than I have in years, and it's really cool knowing this feeling isn't going away any time soon.