fathom

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Oct 3, 2008 -> 12:53 AM) Okay if we make the ALCS it depends on how we do it. For the sake of argument lets say that we go to game 5 where Buerhle has to pitch. In that scenario if its Danks on 4 days rest and then Gavin on full rest, I would start Danks 1, Gavin 2, Buerhle 3, Javy 4. I dont really like the idea of taxing our starters to much especially if they are going to for sure get the ball (ie in Alcs all 4 will start no matter what so no reason to start them tired and screw the whole series.) The argument for Richard and Javy I break down as follows: Javy is a veteran, he may not be the best pitcher but usually even in his worst start he only gives up 6-7 runs. If he gets hit, Ozzie can leave him in there to die and save our pen. Richard is a rookie and completely unproven. He looked good today, but Im not 100% sure that he wont have control problems or feel the pressure starting an important game. Id like to say just give the kid a shot, but I think that the more prudent position is to start Javy and then have Richard come in later. If you dont start Javy, you are just asking for a world of trouble if you bring him in from the pen because you just have no clue how he will react to that. This is the freaking playoffs. We're not talking about sucking up innings to save the bullpen. I guarantee that no one feels worse about having to pencil Javy into the rotation than Ozzie. Of all people, he knows that Javy is a coward.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Oct 2, 2008 -> 11:49 PM) I know but it seems Alexei does better with men on base and in clutch situations. 2nd just seems like a spot where hell do a lot of free swinging and get behind in counts. But obviously Id like him 2nd, just not sure that he has the patience yet. He doesn't have patience in the 7th spot either. Does it matter? It's not like we'll steal against a lefty on the mound. Cabrera has like one steal in the last 2 months. We should have our best hitters getting the most at bats. Having Anderson in the 2nd spot does not equate to that.

QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Oct 2, 2008 -> 11:20 PM) This is what Id like to see: 1. OC - SS 2. BA- CF 3. JD- RF 4. Konerko - 1B 5. Thome- DH 6. Alexi - 2B 7. AJ - C 8. Uribe - 3b 9. Swisher- LF I hate having to put BA at the top of the line up, but I think at this point the Sox just dont have any other options besides Alexei and that could potentially mess him up. It's not like Alexei's lighting it up. Put him 2nd, and see if you can jump start the offense. This isn't the Tigers or Indians where you can put up runs in a hurry against their bullpen.

QUOTE (DrunkBomber @ Oct 2, 2008 -> 11:30 PM) You think its bad having two black holes batting 2nd and 6th? No reason to be racist.

Griffey and Wise can't be near the lineup. In a perfect world, neither would Thome.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Oct 2, 2008 -> 11:56 PM) A Cub win tonight would make this an overall horrible day. I hope the Dodgers can salvage it for me. I feel the same. I'd be content with today if the Dodgers can win.

Why was Swisher ok to bat in the 9th for Uribe, but not in the 7th? Ugh...I hate you Javy.

Really bad outing by Griffey. There's no way he should be playing tomorrow.

Good to see PK stepping up. Let's get the tying run to the plate.

The Rays bullpen is phenomenal.

QUOTE (Brian @ Oct 2, 2008 -> 09:28 PM) Ha. I would be really disappointed if Joe split. All those guys that didn't make the roster in 05 stuck around and supported him. He should at least return the favor, even if he is gone next year. There's been a huge falling out between Crede and the organization over the past few months.

QUOTE (Cowch @ Oct 2, 2008 -> 09:52 PM) God damn, why couldn't we at least get one in last inning? Well heart of the order/vets coming up. Thome and Griffey MUST be hungry. Crush the damn ball! Judging by Griffey's body, I don't think he's ever hungry. It's like he ate Ken Griffey Sr.

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Oct 2, 2008 -> 09:52 PM) Cabrera is on a whole other level for me. Vazquez has really gone down my list over the last 4 weeks or so, but I didn't like how Cabrera acted on day 1, and nothing has changed. I can't stand the cocksmoker. He makes me miss Royce. Does it frustrate you as much as it does me when people try to say OC is a good guy and that Cowley's the only one who doesn't like him?

QUOTE (Brian @ Oct 2, 2008 -> 09:49 PM) Balfour isn't a kid. He was a hack pitcher, probably got on HGH, and is throwing about 5 mph faster than he ever has. Probably? He absolutely, positively did.

The Sox put Fields on the playoff roster specifically in case we decide to ph for Uribe. If you don't ph for him there, you're never going to ph for him. Uribe has not swung the bat well for a while now.

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Oct 2, 2008 -> 09:47 PM) I hate Cabrera more than Vazquez. They're the 2 most unlikeable players the Sox have had over the last 5 years.

OC on his way to having an epic playoffs.

QUOTE (Brian @ Oct 2, 2008 -> 09:45 PM) It was like 10 feet foul. Home run length?

I can't believe we let Uribe bat there against a guy with just nasty stuff. That has to be a lefty.

Did Uribe just miss one foul?

QUOTE (Tony82087 @ Oct 2, 2008 -> 08:37 PM) Bull.f***ing.s***. Go back and read the Vazquez starting Game 1. Most everyone said it was the right call, and it made sense. Players need to preform. I agree, he had to start Javy. He won't make that mistake again. The only thing I'd say is don't underestimate Hawk's persuasion on how the token Sox fan thinks. At the game the other day, it was scary how many people were repeating his words and opinions.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ Oct 2, 2008 -> 09:33 PM) Agreed. I'm mad at Javy, but I've been mad at him for weeks now and he's earned it. Other than that, I agree with this post. Hopefully the Cubs lose tonight. If I was a betting man, I would have bet on the Sox to lose and the Cubs to win, just to hedge my emotions. The Cubs fans at work today are acting like their dog was killed.

QUOTE (Jordan4life @ Oct 2, 2008 -> 09:32 PM) I'm not as mad as I thought I would be. We can't ignore what we saw for 162 games just because we made the playoffs. We won what turned out to be a weak division, and needed an extra game at home to do that. Our offense is simply too one dimensional to succeed consistently against elite pitching. Yep, in all honesty, it's just not a spectacular team. No shame in saying that...it will take a few more years to make this team well-rounded and hopefully, less one-dimensional with the homer.

Go Clayton...make yourself the top contender for the 4th and/or 5th spot in the rotation next year.

It's so strange, but I think I was much angrier when the Sox were losing last week than I am right now. I felt like we blew our wad the last 3 games....and thank Quentin we made it to the playoffs at least. As we've been saying, making the playoffs is better than not. Even if the Sox get swept, I'll have extremely positive thoughts about the 2008 season.