fathom

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 10:20 PM) We tied to make the playoffs last year, I dont want to think back on this game and think "What if" Can we just give Linebrink the nickname of "What If" now?

QUOTE (whitesoxbrian @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 10:20 PM) When? Plus, Hawk said the wind was blowing from right to left. Those conditions favor the pitchers. Last year

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 10:16 PM) I think we need to consider shutting Dye down for a week. Send Wise down for Kroeger, and see what happens. Some people on here are a bunch of pansies when it comes to injuries (no offense t'bolt, you know I like your style of posting). He has a calf strain...nothing major. With 3 more games at an NL park, you can't just sit a player, as that will destroy your bench. Also, with Thome and CQ out, we need any power we can get. If we're only going to get 15 homers out of our 1st baseman this year (due to thumb), we need some people to pick up their power production.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 10:16 PM) Chisoxfn, My biggest problem is that to start the inning I commented about how this would go. And it went exactly in that fashion. Maybe Thornton does go out there and get shelled, but im so tired of losing with our best pitchers still in the pen. If Thornton is going to have to pitch an inning today, let him pitch the 8th with no one on base. If its a 3 run lead, the game is "close" but if its 4, its "in hand". I guess to me it was just to close for comfort and Id rather go with the best and lose with the best, than sit here and say "What if". No one would have questioned if Thornton came in and lost, because hes the best we have. Great post...the ironic thing is Ozzie rarely ever pitches Linebrink in those situations. He usually puts him in if it's a "save" situation in the 8th.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 10:12 PM) Maybe, but the Cubs are notorious for getting shut down by RHP, even so much that they traded one of their best players in the offseason. It happens, whatever. Split at Wrigley, win the series in Cincy, then come home and win again. I think we are heating up. The funny thing is if you told me before series we'd split, I would have been "perfect, don't tell me any more info, I'm happy". Just disappointing how close we were to winning.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 10:08 PM) Frankly ANY fastball pitcher we were going to put out there may have been a wrong choice. I wouldnt have minded Poreda's sinker in that situation. As we can see by Thornton's results, the Cubs just react well to hard stuff, and they were bound to get some hits at home with the wind blowing out. We dominated them on their home turf for 17 innings, I like it alot. I think we start to heat up a bit here, especially with the bottom of the order looking so sexy. Yeah, that's the biggest shame of this loss...we really had put together some good games in a row, with BA/Getz/Beckham having good at bats. We need to get Konerko and Dye going again.

Here's my philosophy: with a 4 run game heading into the 8th, if we pitch Thornton for an inning and Jenks for an inning, I'll tip my cap to the opposition if they can score 4 runs before we get 6 outs.

QUOTE (Cali @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 10:01 PM) He's the worst pitcher with a good ERA in the league... 2.25 NONE of the Runs he gave up today were Earned.... WHIP of 1.54

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 10:03 PM) The Cubs were just more DESPERATE to win this game...usually, playing that way leads to losses, but they just wanted it more in the end. Once again, this White Sox team doesn't really have any sort of identity yet, and we're 40% of the way through the season. Wanted it more? No, Ozzie made the mistake of pitching a struggling pitcher against the heart of their order (and their only good hitters).

QUOTE (joesaiditstrue @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 10:02 PM) this new over-conservative soxtalk is for the birds I'm the biggest Cubs hater on this site, and even I am shocked at some of the comments after this loss. My only fear is that this goes on to spark the Cubs and they never look back.

One pitch pitcher, which is a flat fastball. His shoulder injury has made it harder for him to keep the ball above the belt. He hasn't even been close all season with his splitter. It's time to demote him to 7th inning duty and use Thornton as our primary 8th inning guy. I don't know how many times Linebrink has to fail before this move is made.

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 09:57 PM) Someone do it... At least I think you and I are on the same page regarding Linebrink now.

QUOTE (Jenksy Cat @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 08:52 PM) well, time to avoid this site for the next 12 hours No rants today?

QUOTE (GoSox05 @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 08:53 PM) Maybe Linebrink shouldn't pitch in close games at Wrigley anymore. Maybe just any close game anywhere.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 08:52 PM) I won't f***ing forget what you did today, Ozzie. Well said...if the Cubs turn this thing around, I wonder if Ozzie/Linebrink will get playoff shares?

QUOTE (Brian @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 08:44 PM) I'm expecting it. Would of been able to handle getting dominated by Zambrano and losing 2-1 than the way we are probably gonna lose. Hope I'm wrong. And then have to deal with how this is the turning point of their season

QUOTE (Paint it Black @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 08:41 PM) It's drives me up a wall that Ozzie didn't use one of the two best relievers (IMO Jenks or Thornton) when the best hitters are up (i.e. the heart of the order). Whatever, though. Annoyed more than ever. Just like he did in the huge Tigers series. If you didn't know better, you'd think Ozzie believes Linebrink is better than Thornton/Jenks.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 09:35 PM) I can't blame Ozzie. 4 run lead and you should be able to put anyone out there to get the job done. It's on Liney, not Ozzie. Linebrink has looked awful for the last few weeks, and everything hit against him has been hard. There's no way in the world he should have been left in to face Soto.

QUOTE (ChiSox420* @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 09:34 PM) If we are going to compete this year we need another right coming out of the pen... Linebrink has seemingly forgot how to pitch! I'd take MacDougal over Linebrink now. Linebrink is a one pitch pitcher, and that one pitch is the straightest fastball in the majors.

Were the homers cheap or crushed? Oh, and it's a good thing we completely wasted Thome in the 8th. Ozzie's addiction to R/R and L/L match-ups is killing us today.

This is just terrible managing here. I can't believe he didn't pitch Thornton in this inning. Linebrink just has no confidence anymore.

QUOTE (tommy @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 08:25 PM) This game is far from over. I just don't get Ozzie's reluctance to pitch Thornton lately.

Stop pitching Linebrink!!!!! Get Thornton into this game.

QUOTE (WilliamTell @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 09:13 PM) I guess Thome is done before his day even started. IBB?

QUOTE (Heads22 @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 09:11 PM) This makes it a heck of a lot easier to leave Gavin in. Pull him, and let Thornton come in.