CaliSoxFanViaSWside

It's been about a month since this thread was posted and the Magic # went from 60 to 30 even though the Sox record since then is 13-14. . If the Sox can play just a little bit better they could wrap up the division title by mid September. The Central being terrible is helping more than the Sox performance. That being said nothing comes easy especially with the starting pitching staff being as precarious now than at any point in the season. At various times though we have got great performances when we needed them and for long stretches of time from Martin and Burke and better from Kay and Fedde. Kay has been better since he changed where he stood on the rubber. He has picked up some of the slack created by the Martin decline . He has 7 consecutive starts giving up 3 runs or less. Since the beginning of May he is 8-5 3.43 ERA and 4.25 FIP. Sox are 12-9 in the 20 games he's pitched since then covering 102.1 innings . Fedde has been pretty steady over the last few months. Since 4/24 any game in which Fedde has pitched at least 3 innings the Sox are 13-7. Burke had an incredible run even though his last 2 starts have been a struggle . Since 5/26 in 16 games covering 93 innings the Sox are 11-5 . Burke's ERA in those games is 2.81 with a 3.35 FIP, 112 K & 28 BB.

I think that was Steve Rogers batting in the 9th

She looks stoned or drunk but very happy ! She'll be on talk radio tomorrow maybe TV too getting interviewed.

All great but why we singling out old men for not believing ? 🤣 There's a lot of old guys here if over 50 is old. I don't get all the angst but fans are going to to drive themselves nuts no matter how bad or how good the team is. The only difference is more people show up here in good times, young and old .

I think maintaining the status quo is important. I also think just slightly above status quo , which has seemed impossible for a couple months, wins this division easy.

Baseball is a game of failure for hitters and in the bullpen it's managing rest . Perfection is not an option though fans seem to think that way at times and I guarantee most fans do not keep track of what relievers are in line to pitch every game in their game notes. Fans fly by the seat of their pants. They see failure and losses and whine. Managers have stats and other coaches to help make decisions and still there are failures. It's an imperfect world. 55-60 losses for every team. That's a lot of failure and it's usually the most talented and less injured who wins.

There is always a human element to the game and you cannot factor that into a computer . Who really needs the off day? Who doesn't perform well when not near 100 % ? What kind of AB are you looking for in a certain situation and will any replacement from a pinch hit appearance hurt you on defense. A computer cannot predict the future only anticipate projected outcome . Hard to calculate if that lesser jump in the OF with the bases loaded drives in 3 runs or ends up an out by a pinch hitter forced to play OF. Baseball is such a different game . Head coaches run a certain offense and players run plays and have to fill gaps . Those are real team sports whereas baseball has a lot of players on the field but it comes down to individuals winning one on one matchups where no matter who you are you are likely to lose that matchup because you fail over 70% of the time. The other sports have people who control you movements. Baseball has a little of that but its more about empowering players and getting them in the right frame of mind on how to approach things. I think the new Sox philosophy of empowering individuals in the front office and the players on the field is all about communication and positive reinforcement and presenting options. Venable is a good representative of that philosophy.

That's a 6 run lineup at the very least today ! Holmes won't last 5 innings

LFG ! That is all.

It was an adjustment to go from 16 inch to slow pitch softball with a glove but ultimately easier on my fingers since because I had big hands, was tall and had my Dad throwing me giant curve balls with a Clincher since I was 10 so I played 1st base. Digging throws out of the dirt was just easier with a glove using 1 hand than having to use 2 hands and getting fingers crunched every so often. Also with the development of bat tech I was still able to play until I was 50 years old and still hit the ball hard and far.

I'd also like to point out the contribution from Sam Antonacci with the spectacular catch up against the ivy in games 3. Urquidy looked like a cheerleader he was so happy about it. While PCA grabbed headlines going 5 for 12 with 3 HR and 4 RBI, Benintendi & Grichuk went 4 for 14 ,2 HR, & 6 RBI. While Venable has made questionable decisions in certain situations his use of Benintendi and Grichuk at the right times is certainly paying off. While it might be easy to just stick them in the lineup to maximize their handedness the pincj hitting and at what time to do it and how early to do it because they may have more of an advantage against lower leverage relievers is a little trickier and for the most part has been working well. Braden of course had the comet throw and went 3 for 12 with 2 RBI to give the Sox a little breathing room in game 3 and snuff out a potential threat with his assist, gunning down Taylor at 3rd base. Once he learns how to elevate the ball a little more he should be a mainstay and potential All-Star for year to come. He and Meidroth have plugged holes the Sox have had for years .

No matter how you rearrange the arms it still amounts to not enough guys who can pitch 6 innings and still keep you in the game. We need peak Martin, Burke, Kay , Castillo , Fedde/Urquidy. Somewhere down the road others could start this year. Thorpe and Sandlin are the 2 likeliest with Shane Smith and Cannon long shots. Ultimately those other guys may not have the time to establish themselves as options to be added to a playoff roster. Getz may still play with the relievers but we've seen just about everyone tried.

The Sox were designed to get the young talent on the field, coach them up and see how it blends and keep churning the bottom of the roster and trying to find a few golden nuggets among the chaffe. Appears to be working, not a finished product. There are still holes in the organization and a lame duck owner who may yet sabotage what's been built already along with labor issues.

Oh fans fighting. Thanks. Didn't see any video of fans fights.

He's still playing for the Chicago Dogs. 36 now.

Guess the Athletic will be changing their pick to the Twins now 🤣

Guess I missed it. Still a mystery .

Bartolo ?

That's weird. Guy was thrilled to get picked up by the Sox and given the opportunity . He pitched lights out and can't show it on the field ? I guess we're not past the sore losers pissed because you think they are showing you up stuff.

Who are you talking about? Fat Sandburg ? You do know Ryne Sandberg died almost a year ago I hope and it's another SandbUrg.

Less people to attend the White Sox parade .

Yeah the flight of that throw had a fire trail like a comet entering the atmosphere.

Most of us are meatballs who only think they know something in hindsight . Sure lets scapegoat Getz because we don't have Derek Hill any more while everyone else thinks he'll get Exec of the year. Garbage pickup cost nothing played well. Thought we had better with a young cost controlled Everson Peirara. Made sense on every level except defense and out of options. Too bad he couldn't stay on the field. Do we really need to cry about every talent that got away from the bottom of the roster where the churn is constant ? I'm looking at you @caulfield12 Someone puts up .5 WAR and there's a guy to point it out like its some huge revelation. Sometimes it works too. Peters, Urquidy, Getting Fedde back again. Hudson. Peirera was a great find until he was as brittle as Eloy. Still may work with Doyle. He started fine then slumped . That's how it goes from week to week with those guys who play part time at the bottom of the 26 man. Find some perspective. Oh no our GM and young players makes mistakes like every GM and every young player in the history of GM's and young players do.

Don't think anyone had Urquidy pitching like that on their Bingo card. That's why you stockpile as many starting pitchers as you can at AAA.

2 guys who were injured most of the year. It's their own fault they aren't here any more. Couldn't rely on them.