fathom

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Aug 9, 2005 -> 05:48 AM) Experiment all you want, but I never want to see the 1-2 of Pods and Gooch seperated. What about another 5 games of stagnant offense with Podsednik doing his best Mike Caruso imitation? I didn't know there was some rule that said Iguchi had to bat 2nd. To me, he seems a hell of a lot more comfortable at the plate swinging with authority instead of trying to get the runner over. He's actually our worst player at swinging when there's a runner in motion. He always tries to protect the runner, and probably has a lot more strikeouts because of it. In no way is this trying to insult Iguchi. Rather, I mean to compliment him on the fact he's given himself up so much for the Sox this year. You can want to keep your 1-2 duo together as much as you want....but if this team continues to struggle to score runs against average pitchers, this race is going to get a lot closer than we want it to.

Something that has to be done right now is that we split up the whole 8-9-1 of Crede, Uribe, and Pods. All three of them are struggling so much, that basically we have 33 pct of our lineup batting consecutively without a real good chance of getting on base currently. I also think that if we move Iguchi to the 3rd spot, it might benefit our offense also. I know Iguchi does a great job of moving the runner over....but with Pods not getting on base, that's doing us no good. Also, having Rowand bat 2nd might help him stay on the ball longer and make him drive the ball up the middle/to the right side. Rowand's been hitting a ton of grounders to 3rd base lately cause he's become pull happy. Right now, this team should be playing very loose with the lead they have. What's wrong with experimenting with changes in the lineup?

In your opinion, what can be done to help this offense? If KW is likely to make a move, it will be for another OF/DH type that probably won't play more than Everett would. The left side of our team (SS, 3B, and LF) has been just awful lately, but all three of those guys aren't going anywhere. What can be done to kick-start an offense that really seems flat and isn't producing. I know our pitching has been super, but in order to be successful during this very difficult stretch of our schedule, we're going to have to be able to score more than 2 or 3 runs on a given night. With Pods struggling like crazy to get on base, and then having just as much of a struggle stealing succesfully, it might be a good idea to cut down on the straight stolen base attempt, and go with more hit-and-runs to utilize Pods speed.

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Aug 9, 2005 -> 05:27 AM) He went 7 2/3 innings against Boston, gave up 2 runs and got the loss. He went 7 innings against Torotno, gave up 4 runs, and got the loss. He went 6 innings against the Yankees, gave up 3 runs, and got the loss. Yeah he works slow. Yeah, he gets 0-2 on too many people and ends up 3-2 on them. But I think it's hard for me to condemn any of those performances. If you're holding Boston, NY, and Toronto to those numbers...those are games that you should win. If Ozzie really does want to use Duque for the playoffs, then he should start conserving his arm now. Every game where Duque throws over 100 pitches, the chances increase that he won't be completely healthy for the playoffs.

If we make the playoffs, and we lose in the first round.....it better be because we lost with our big 3 of Garland, Buehrle, and Garcia on the mound.

After reading Rick Morrisey's column in tomorrow's Tribune, I'm convinced Duque will be our starter in game 1 of the playoffs if we make it.

We're planning the playoff rotation already? Mercy, I'm just going to refrain from any comments.

I can pretty much guarantee that Adkins is the least of Ozzie's concerns right now.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Aug 9, 2005 -> 01:53 AM) I don't give a crap who you root for, but you constantly s*** all over a team that you claim to be a "fan" of. If we were .500 and trying to claw into it, we'd be frustrated, but to be 32 games above .500 and to talk about how we suck all the time tells me that you've got a bad case of ego. That's my opinion, and truthfully this isn't going to go anywhere, because you've already decided that you're going to win every arguement. So fine. You win. We won't make the playoffs. We suck. Damn, we WILL go on a MAJOR losing streak, because we have no guts. Heart goes a long way, my friend. That's all I'm trying to say. Will it win us a playoff series? It's hard to say, because it's 0-0 records then. Anyway, enough. You get my point. I just don't understand you, that's all. Fair enough. I honestly respect a post like this that explains what problem you have w/me. I don't think I say anything that's completely insane. If I though we were a 100 pct lock to make the playoffs, I would say so. What did I really say tonight that was so bad: That I don't want Duque on the mound in the playoffs (doubtful we'd need a 4th starter)...that the Sox haven't clinched anything (8/8/05)...and that the offense is below average (agree?).

If Pods continues to struggle like he is, our offense is going to continue to struggle. We had a hard time putting up runs with Iguchi, AJP, and PK being on fire. We really need to get some consistent contributions from some of the guys we don't expect a lot of offense out of.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Aug 9, 2005 -> 01:44 AM) C'mon fathom, this team, from where they are right now, is going to have to lose about 10 in a row to give the other teams a shot. If you think they are going to choke the chicken that bad, why do you follow this team? Why can't you enjoy it? I just do not understand the negativity. Reality, yes, but constantly WAITING for this team to s***... I don't get it. I think you just want to say you're right. I don't mean this to be rude....but please don't tell me who I root for or not. I might be pessimistic...but there's no one on here that cheers for the Sox any more than I do. Yes, it's possible that a team could choke a lead like ours now. If it happens, I will honestly be ok with it. If you can't make the playoffs with a 13 game lead on 8/8/05.....you don't deserve to make it.

QUOTE(Sox Hustler @ Aug 9, 2005 -> 01:42 AM) No thanks, as much hatred as some of these umps have towards the sox I wouldn't want that to happen. It will just blow up next time we take something to Bob Watson about the umps since it seems like were always beaning people. I agree. The last thing we need is another beaning incident. You don't want your team to get known as a bunch of head hunters, because umps will be more likely to toss your pitchers, even if it was not intentional. We don't need that happening to our starters. Also, hbp wars can result in our players getting hit and potentially injured. I know people think it's cool to do it....but it's pretty stupid to make a habit of it.

Griffey Jr. just homered vs the Cubs

In no way is this a shot at Ozzie....but this is why no professional coach/manager should make something personal with an official. Umps/refs are some of the most egotistical people you'll ever find, and you have to be naive to not think they'll screw you if they get the chance.

For those of us at work: Is Hawk going nuts?

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Aug 9, 2005 -> 01:33 AM) Still? Check the calendar. Who's going to catch them, oh wise one? Are you serious? I didn't know there was any guarantee that any team has to win a certain amount of games. I can guarantee you that the Padres, Orioles, and Nationals fans never though their teams would s*** the bed like they did. We don't exactly have an easy schedule the rest of the way. The Indians hitting seems to be peaking just in time to face some awful pitching staffs. I wouldn't be shocked if they cut our lead to 6 or 7 by the end of August.

QUOTE(jphat007 @ Aug 9, 2005 -> 01:32 AM) I expect you to blow up and whine with no perspective of whats going on. The last time I checked, a game didn't last 2 innings and neither did an outing. No perspective? Coming from the same person who said this wasn't a big game for Duque and the Sox? Funny, I didn't see a single person who agreed with your perspective. However, I'm not going to fall for your trap of starting a personal feud, as it's not fair to the other posters.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Aug 9, 2005 -> 01:31 AM) I have no problem throwing el duque out there in a 7 game series as our 4th starter. There's no reason to even argue it, cause Ozzie would choose Duque over Contreras (he already said so).

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Aug 9, 2005 -> 01:30 AM) And what are the other options for a fourth starter...? Contreras. I'll take El Duque over Contreras every day of the week and twice on Sunday. Heck, make it thrice on Sundays... I don't think we'll need a 4th starter. Hopefully, it gets to that point where we could need a 4th starter though, as that would mean we won a series. As everyone knows, I'm still concerned about making the playoffs.

QUOTE(jphat007 @ Aug 9, 2005 -> 01:29 AM) I agree. Heaven forbid a pitcher give up 3 ER in Yankee Stadium against the Yanks. Terrible, terrible stuff. Well, when it's in the first two innings, what the f*** do you expect people to say? Do you only post when the Sox are losing to attack others who might say something bad? You hardly posted one f***ing thing the last two games. I know people like myself and Milkman are pessmistic....but at least we're consistent in posting in every game, no matter what the score is.

QUOTE(jphat007 @ Aug 9, 2005 -> 01:27 AM) Great game El Duque. But you still suck. You're not a playoff pitcher anymore. blah blah blah blah blah. Whoops. Spoke too soon. Still in there. He still put us in a 3 run hole early in the game. If Garland did that, the Judy comments would be flying. It's not just this game which makes people feel like Duque's not a playoff pitcher....it's the 4.69 ERA with a 1.50 WHIP.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Aug 9, 2005 -> 01:23 AM) Amen, brother. Like October? I'm as confident with Dye at the plate as I am anyone else. He just needs to get back to spreading the ball out all over the field. He's gotten a little pull happy.

QUOTE(Brian @ Aug 9, 2005 -> 01:20 AM) Oh geez, Ozzie extending El Duque. Are you surprised? I'd prefer to see Cotts start this inning.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Aug 9, 2005 -> 01:19 AM) Dye got a real good pitch to hit on the second to last pitch of the AB. A cookie right down the middle. Missed it... It's happened a lot with him this week. I have hope he has another hot stretch in him this season.

The good news is we're finally getting some hits. The bad news is that the man who carried our offense for two months, JD, now is slumping again. As A's fans said before the year: When Dye is in a good streak, he's amazing. But when he's not swinging well, he goes into a prolonged slump.