fathom

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.

D. Jimenez Jr. Seriously, there comes a time you have to protect and fight off anything close.

Good to see some life from the offense. Duque needs to step up the next few innings and keep us in this game.

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Aug 9, 2005 -> 12:33 AM) It's the second f***ing inning... There are 24 more outs to work with. Why lower your chances for a big inning when there's still so much time left in the game? With 24 outs you expect an AL offense to score a little over 4 runs. This goes for the Yankees too. It makes no sense to reduce the number of outs you have to play with while not being guaranteed runs that early in the game. Late in the game, that's fine, but not with that much time left. When people are complaining about J. Dye not bunting...you know our offense sucks.

QUOTE(That funky motion @ Aug 9, 2005 -> 12:27 AM) When down 2 runs? This is the kind of thinking that makes no sence to me! Why! Has Dye ripping the cover off the ball? Its the If you a hr hitter you dont have to bunt thinking that makes no sence at all!Ill put my bust right next to yours in the hall! No, because playing for one run isn't going to win this game. If you bunt there, you prevent yourself from having a big inning. Even Ozzie had to know Duque wasn't going to hold the Yanks to a small number tonight (1 or 2 runs).

Our offense is just flat out horrible now. With Pods showing signs of wearing down, and Dye cooling off.....I'm not sure where Ozzie or KW can look for help. It's hard for the middle of the order to produce when the 8-9-1 are getting on base about 3 times every 20 ABs.

QUOTE(Sox Hustler @ Aug 9, 2005 -> 12:09 AM) Our offense looks horrible but our pitching can match anyone, I doubt the sox are going to lie down and die for these teams. We have played equally tough teams and I highly doubt Ozzie will let them lie down. Have some f***ing confidence people, they will atleast go .500. Our pitching can be as good as ever...but if we can't consistently score 4 runs against teams like the Red Sox, Yankees, Rangers, and A's.....we're going to have a hell of a team trying to beat them at the Cell with the ball flying out.

In all honesty, what do people think our lead will be after this week? We have 6 vs Yanks and Red Sox, while a red hot Indians team has 6 vs KC and Tampa. I'm hoping it's above 10 after Sunday.

QUOTE(Milkman delivers @ Aug 9, 2005 -> 12:00 AM) Pods' 57th K looking of the year, it seems. D. Jimenez Jr.

Our 8-9-1 in the order has something like 7 hits in the last 7 games.