fathom

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 09:41 PM) now you just jinxed the away series I am going to asshole. Hey, we had no problem losing to an awful A's team either! It will almost definitely be low scoring games this weekend.

QUOTE (SoxFan562004 @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 10:38 PM) I would if I expected the Cubs to dominate for a long stretch and win 95+, I just don't see that this year from them and the Brewers can mash enough to stick around. Again, Cubs to win it, but they won't run away. If Votto and Volquez come back the Reds will stick around too. Basically outside of the Pirates the division is a little tougher this year The Reds are awful! Their lineup is pathetic, and don't look for Volquez to return soon. The team that can hang with the Cubs is the Cardinals, but they need an upgrade at either SS or 3B.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 10:37 PM) That and it would ruin 80 nights a summer which just isnt a good way to live. Only cause it's against the Cubs I think. The losses this year have affected me less than any year since 2005.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 10:35 PM) What good pitching calls has Ozzie made lately? He had been doing a fantastic job with this all year, and then starting with the Tigers series, he's been really struggling. I can't remember the last time Thornton pitched in a close game that we were winning. It's been either mop-up duty or in a tie game.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 10:31 PM) I fully expect the Cubs to still win their division, its just that terrible and their talent level is so much higher than every other team. Yep, their starting 5 is just so much better than Milwaukee's. When the wind starts blowing out, these guys will remember how to hit again.

QUOTE (elrockinMT @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 09:25 PM) That was my thought when I saw the line score. Linebrink gives up two homers and blows the game. How many times have we had a relief pitcher, and this includes Linebrink, giving up the long ball? Floyd did a super job and this is how the bullpen rewards him It's going to happen with Dotel/Linebrink/Thornton. All three of them throw a ton of high fastballs.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 09:24 PM) AS long as they continue to be the same team, and especially play the AL, they will still lose. They have just been DOMINATED by the Twins and now us, Cle will take the series as well. they might have to suspend the game due to DeRosa's 2 hour long standing ovation. Sucks that they miss Verlander next week.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 10:22 PM) Eh, we gifted one for them at home, it happens, lets get the series against them in our park and move on. Like I said, we dominated them for 17 innings at a park that is VERY tough for the visiting team. This makes me believe we are getting hot. Who would have thought 2 weeks ago that we'd rather have BA, Getz, and Beckham up with RISP than having Konerko or Dye up? That's not an insult to the veterans, but rather an impressive statement to our young guys. It's so exciting getting to watch Beckham grow as a player.

QUOTE (Thunderbolt @ Jun 18, 2009 -> 10:21 PM) I'm sorry guys, but when you're up 5-1 at Wrigley with 2 outs in the bottom of the 8th, and still lose. There's no moral victory their, for me. I'll be honest, my night is completely ruined because of this. Also, it's going to be hard to handle it if this is the spark the Cubs needed. Soriano has like 20 hits this year, and 10 of those have been game winners.

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