Kalapse

It definitely isn't increased patience at the plate as he's seeing a similar number of P/PA this year as he has in the past (as Felix pointed out.) I'd chalk it up to better plate discipline with the count full. So far this season he's walked 11 times on 3-2 counts in '06 he only drew a walk 9 times with a full count and 10 times in '05.

QUOTE (whitesoxfan101 @ May 21, 2008 -> 11:00 PM) This pitching is just unreal. Second night in a row Thome hit an oppo home run too, maybe he's coming around a bit. Man this team could be really good if we get some consistent offense, and the offense is improving recently. Not to mention they both came off left handed pitchers.

Excellent victory.

And Ramirez saves Crede from his 10th error of the season.

2 games, 2 opposite field homeruns off of lefties for Big Jim. This could be the start of a hot streak.

5.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 HR Sheer dominance.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ May 21, 2008 -> 10:46 AM) This team may indeed tank, who knows. But its nothing like the 2007 squad. The starting offense is different in 5 of the 9 positions, the starting pitching is different in 1.5 of 5, the bullpen is vastly different. Its just not the same club. This team is also in first place and 1.5 games up as opposed to 3rd place and 4 games back.

Thanks for your comments. I'm glad you all like it.

Very satisfying win. Without Carlos Quentin this team would be fighting it out with the Tigers, he's simply incredible.

QUOTE (jasonxctf @ May 19, 2008 -> 12:55 PM) take away that opening day start and Mark has a 4.24 ERA in the other 8 starts. Ignoring certain games is fun. Take away his best start of the year (8 IP, 0 ER @ Tor) and his ERA for the season is 6.17. Take away his best and worst starts of the year and his ERA is still an even 5. Hey, what do you expect for only $14M a year?

Ok, 11 days and 87 votes later I'm calling it. Your Player of the Month for April, 2008 as voted on by the members of Soxtalk.com, receiving 91.95% of the votes: Carlos Quentin Your Pitcher of the Month for April, 2008 as voted on by the members of Soxtalk.com, receiving 50.57% of the votes: John Danks

Jerry Owens' line down at Charlotte just keeps getting better: .224/.298/.284/.582 in 134 ABs.

QUOTE (GreatScott82 @ May 18, 2008 -> 08:22 PM) Yep, and even better things happen when Quentin is in the 3rd spot. Keep the lineup the way it is Ozzie.... Is Quentin eligible for rookie of the year? I know he played in spurts the past few seasons. No

I suppose Adam Russell would be the logical replacement.

QUOTE (lostfan @ May 16, 2008 -> 10:36 PM) I keep getting him and Dotel confused. They look so much alike. Now Dotel has taking a lot of s*** for his shaky start to the season, he's come on strong over the past few weeks though. I honestly can't remember a single bad thing being said about Linebrink. I remember a lot people being surprised by how good his stuff was, people who hadn't seem him pitch before assumed he was more of a smoke and mirrors type.

Linebrink has been soooo good. It's a nice feeling to have a go to guy in the setup role.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ May 16, 2008 -> 07:18 PM) Dont you have to have something like 2.14 years of service time to qualify? I believe we have 2 more cheap years of him. Once you finish a year with a service number at or greater than 3 you become arbitration eligible for the following season (unless of course you're a super 2 player then you may become arb eligible after 2.) 2010 will be his first year of arbitration eligibility.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ May 16, 2008 -> 07:09 PM) Why did Uribe come out last night? He tweaked his hamstring.

From Cowley concerning Richar: And as for Owens; he's fighting to keep his OPS north of .600 right now. .230/.307/.294/.601, 124 AB, 5 2B, 1 HR, 10/14 SB, 14:25 BB:K

QUOTE (knightni @ May 16, 2008 -> 05:15 PM) He's out with a bad case of "Slider Crave". Actually he's out with a strained hamstring but that doesn't make your line any less cute. According to Mark Gonzales Alexei will get the start at 2B vs Sanchez.

5 of his 8 errors have come on throws (3 of his last 4 have been fielding errors.) Of course he's also playing a position that allows the official scorer plenty of leeway. I know Crede's RZR is in the bottom half of baseball thus far.

QUOTE (LVSoxFan @ May 16, 2008 -> 03:02 PM) LOL at your avator Kalapse. Got the CQ love goggles on, have ya? Since the beginning of April, yes.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ May 15, 2008 -> 07:11 PM) ugh its an awful idea, he's been somewhat injury prone, hasnt played a full year of MLB ball and wont even have 2 years of service time after this season, its beyond a bad idea. His service number will be 2.060 by the end of this season. If he really is THIS good, next year will be his final "cheap" season. But yeah, I agree with the majority on this one. The earliest you start worrying about extending him is May or June of next year and that's only if he stays completely healthy and productive up until then.

Did Brooks Robinson ever have a stretch like this?

QUOTE (kyyle23 @ May 16, 2008 -> 11:48 AM) fixed Thank you, that makes a bit more sense.