CaliSoxFanViaSWside

:sweep: :sweep: :sweep: :sweep: :sweep: HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! EAT s*** ASSTROS ! Have fun getting knocked out of the playoffs.

QUOTE (steveno89 @ Aug 9, 2017 -> 08:18 AM) The solution for beating the shift is being willing to occasionally lay down successful bunts to get on base. Eventually teams will stop shifting if you continue to do that. A bunt down the third base line is extremely difficult for a pitcher to deal with, so anything in play that goes more than 10 feet is likely to be a hit. Well against a vacated left side the ideal thing to do is just bunt it hard and get it past the pitcher. Doesn't have to be a perfect bunt but ideally it should go further than 10 ft. Bunt hard enough to get it past the pitcher but shouldn't have to hug the line so there's room for error. If it ends up rolling to 3rd base or past it that's perfect.

The Moncada, Delmonico, Anderson show is tearing it up. Great to see. Also Leury and Yolmer with 2 RBI apiece. Youth will be served. Miguel Gonzales pitched a gem. Sox may still get someing for him . U never know. Oh I forgot, EAT s*** ASSTROS !

QUOTE (Jenksy Cat @ Aug 9, 2017 -> 08:30 AM) I want all of the players who will be on the 2020 team to do well and I also want them to lose every single game for the rest of the season. You can cheer for both of those things I know you can but then again you can't. Basically there is a lot of youth on the team now. They all will not be here in 2020 but to get the most out of them either for trade purposes or a development path where they provide some stiff competition for the kids who make it to the show , you have to want them to do very well . If they do very well then there will definitely be wins . Not a lot of wins because the youth is not yet in the starting rotation , just a few spots in the pen. Also very happy some of you joined in to praise the youth and win or the process . Good jobs guys !

Only one thing to say in this game thread. EAT s*** HOUSTON !!!

Yolmer looks like an all upper body type hitter to me. I think he has a quick bat but needs to get his lower half involved in his swing. Maybe a leg lift would help him.

QUOTE (steveno89 @ Aug 9, 2017 -> 06:08 AM) We don't have to worry about the Sox consistently winning games the rest of the season. A blind squirrel will find a nut every once and awhile though. The Astros also do not have Springer and Correa in the lineup, which makes a huge difference. We are still projected to finish 61-101, worst record in the mlb Does anyone actually care about the games or celebrate good games by the players ? Guess I am looking for more of a Future Sox type of atmosphere where people are excited about the youth doing good. I know at this time it's more important for the recent acquisitions to do well in the minors however why is it that every at bat by Moncada was followed in the minor league threads and now that he is up no one seems to care anymore ?

You are all such bundles of joy. And Hi8tis if we lose the top pick by 1 game you can cry about every one of the wins, The tank will go on but this is what we all wanted. Now that the vets have been purged we are left with the youth and we also want it to do well. Wins will occasionally happen when our pitchers do not give up more than 5 runs. So be happy for wins without reminding us we still need to lose and we suck. We are all aware of that fact.

Sox beat the Astros 8-5 with a combination of hitting and defense and even some smart baseball. Yoan Moncada went 1/2 with 2 walks . Kevan Smith was the hitting star with a homer, double, 2 walks and 4 RBI Adam Engel made an amazing catch to take a HR away from Brian McCann Nicky Delmonico went 1/3 but that hit was a bunt to beat the shift. It's the 2nd time he has done that which in my mind is extremely smart baseball . Tim Anderson continued his recent spate of good hitting by going 2/5 with a double. Avi's 1st game back from injury was a success . He also was 2/5 with a double Abreu was 2/5 Saladino and Avi pulled off a double steal which against a groundball pitcher with a good sinker like Kuechel was a good call . Also smart baseball. Luery made a rather silly base runiing play and Renteria was in his ear like he usually is when a teaching moment presents itself.

Last 2 threads I clicked on to actually talk about baseball ( you know young players, the shift, stealing bases) have devolved into amateur shrink threads about Tim Anderson. So anyway how about that kid Delmonico bunting for hits 2 times now to beat the shift. Would be cool to see Moncada do that from the left side also.

QUOTE (CaliSoxFanViaSWside @ Aug 8, 2017 -> 10:10 AM) He also followed it up by saying "talk to me on Tuesday". Today is that Tuesday. Hoping to hear something today regarding Lopez. ...and approximately 4 hrs later it's announced Lopez is, indeed, called up.

8/8/1976 White Sox wear shorts in doubleheader against the Royals. Sox won the 1st game wearing the shorts, lost the 2nd game with long pants. http://news.sportslogos.net/2016/08/08/a-s...ite-sox-shorts/ Pretty fun article especially the razzing the Sox took from John Mayberry the Royals 1st baseman and funny quote from White Sox player Jack Brohamer " saying he wouldn't wear the shorts unless he could also wear a halter top. Also a Rolling Stone piece on the shorts . Offers pretty much same info as the 1st article I listed but it's from a few years before that one. Some well known Sox names from that team include, Ralph Garr, Bucky Gent, Goose Gossage, Terry Forster, Wilbur Wood and Chet Lemon.

QUOTE (Tony @ Aug 5, 2017 -> 11:24 AM) Asked about pitching prospects being called up, Hahn said "Maybe buy tickets for Friday night." Via Twitter He also followed it up by saying "talk to me on Tuesday". Today is that Tuesday. Hoping to hear something today regarding Lopez.

They are already using pronounced shifts when Moncada bats left handed leaving a huge gap on the left side of the infield. With his speed why not just push a very solid buntpast the pitcher. Would be a hit much of the time if perfected. Beyond the Box Score has an article about bunting for a hit. https://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2017/3/11...-billy-hamilton With Moncada's speed it should be and has to be incorporated in his arsenal to keep defenses honest or else he will be losing many hits in the future to the shift .

QUOTE (BlackSox13 @ Aug 6, 2017 -> 05:07 PM) Did they decide on Lopez? Last I read they had not decided yet. Pretty much a given since Hahn said something like fans might want to buy tickets for the Friday game when asked about Lopez being brought up. http://www.csnchicago.com/chicago-white-so...pez-call-coming

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Aug 6, 2017 -> 07:18 AM) Last year he got better in the second half. His first year he was slightly better in the second half than the first, but a rookie, that could be expected. This year, he spent the first half rehabbing. It isn't the same old same old. Why are you quibbling ? His 2nd halves he does better than the 1st half . That's the point and part of growing pains as a pitcher. I don't care if he was pitching poorly or injured the 1st halves. Late July August and September have been his best months . Didn't know I had to be so careful choosing my words for someone to take umbrage with a phrase like same old same old

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Aug 5, 2017 -> 03:46 PM) He has fanned at least 10 seven times in his career, and 5 of his last 9 starts. His ascent to ace is happening. What will be interesting is what their plans are for him. 4 years of control after this year. Next year is a throw away, a lot will have to go right for 2019 to be close to the same. Do they trade him for prospects? This is just same old, same old for Rodon. He pitched lights out in the 2nd half for each of the last 2 season. Now if he could put 2 good halves together we have an ace. This isn't a knock against him. It is often how young pitching develops. Usually takes a few years . Just a cautionary tale to not expect the studs in the minors to come up and be instant stars. Injuries and inconsistency always rear their ugly heads.

Nicky doing as good as we could have hoped for through 5 games .

Bummer

How much longer can the Sox bullpen keep the Red Sox from winning ? I say it ends this inning.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Aug 4, 2017 -> 03:43 PM) Mine is still acting up a little bit. Sometimes I can get on, sometimes I can't. Tell the truth ... did anybody the last few days have the name "Greg" pop into their heads at any point. Such as: "My gawd I'm glad I get a break from Greg." Or "My gawd I miss Greg." You were mentioned on the Sox Facebook page.

iRght now is the 1st time in like 4 days I've been able to get on.

Another thing I liked about this win is there were no bunts in the come back and a few steal attempts. I've lately been advocating more stealing over bunting because the lack of steals really has been appalling. Steals are exciting and bunting is boring and when you have speed in a rebuild you need to let those guys put some pressure on the pitcher, make him throw more fastballs to our youngsters since sliders, change ups and curves are death to developing hitters.

QUOTE (2005thxfrthmmrs @ Jul 31, 2017 -> 07:22 PM) I would think Kopech has one, at max, two starts left. 50-60 inning increase is a lot to handle for a 21 year old arm. Only reason I would give him 2 more starts and not 1 is he seems to be clicking recently, perhaps due to some minor adjustments, and you would want him to get more reps in with those adjustments. I have a theory . Might not be a good one . I mean making some kind of adjustment is certainly more plausible . He always seems like a max effort type of guy . More of a thrower than a pitcher. Now with perhaps his arm not as strong he's becoming more of a pitcher knowing that he just can't throw it by guys. It would be interesting to look at his fastball stats from earlier in the year to now. Is he throwing as many ? Is it just as fast now as earlier in the season ? If he is throwing less fastballs what is taking it's place ? More change ups or another pitch?

QUOTE (greg775 @ Jul 31, 2017 -> 08:30 PM) Another Matt fan here? Cool. Two in the club. Good job Mr. Davidson. Another home run, 22, creeping u closer to 30 and another game-winning hit for a wretched ballclub. Since I've been convinced by the board that Matt is nothing, I looked up if he's already earned his MLB pension. Answer is yes. Good for matt. Rule says: "MLB players must play 43 days in the majors to earn a minimum $34,000 annual pension plan. Just one day in the majors gets them lifetime healthcare coverage. After 10 years in the big leagues, benefits grow to $100,000 annually." No matter what a free 34,000 a year and lifetime healthcare; not a bad start to go with his minimum salary of 500,000 or so. Keep it truckin Matt. Prove 'em all wrong. There are also things to like about Davidson besides the power, He does use all fields. He is not strictly a pull hitter . He also made adjustments that have obviously paid off in his hit tool. He may never get the K rate below 25% but I think he'll become a more selective hitter as he learns the league. HR's still are the most effective way to get runs .