Jake

He's baaaack

Can't believe that stayed in the park

I agree, it's time to end the Gordon Beckham experiment.

I have to wonder if it is difficult for Hector to get all of his pitches together in the span of a short bullpen warmup/one inning on the mound. Think kind of like some sinkerballers, whose toughest inning is the first because it takes a while to get the feel of the sinker and what not. I swear his screwball looks like s*** and it used to look better -- I just wonder if he hasn't/can't make the adjustment to the realities of being a bullpen pitcher. He obviously only has a handful of appearances left to figure it out, but I have to wonder.

The fact is, sample size is still small. We've actually seen the kid excel for (short) bursts at the ML level before, so it's not like he can't do it. Don't forget some people are notoriously slow starters in general, not to mention this is already the longest time he's been in a starting role in the MLB. You can even consider factors like some cold weather, etc. as well but we can't really know the effect. I like Manto and most of Viciedo's problems involve approach so I'm not too worried. He may have this or that hole in his swing, but everyone has the "can't hit pitches above your shoulders hole" so I'd like to see him quit swinging at high fastballs, for instance, and we'll see how bad those holes look as his pitch selection improves.

You people are crazy.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Apr 26, 2012 -> 09:45 AM) I like the pitching matchups in this series. I also like that the Sox are coming off a game where they screwed up some basic stuff - something they hadn't yet done much under Ventura. My bet is they are much sharper this series. I predict the ChiSox take 3 of 4. I consider this a test for Robin. We need to play fundamental ball, and do it now. Losing is one way to lose fans, losing ugly is an entire other thing. I want to see us playing the game the right way, win or lose.

QUOTE (Tex @ Apr 23, 2012 -> 01:54 PM) And no one has found a way around it? What kind of idiots do have have at that school? There's a way, but it's a pain in the ass.

QUOTE (greg775 @ Apr 25, 2012 -> 09:23 PM) I used to throw a screwball. It was neat to see it curve the other way. It is hittable, though. I have no idea how anyone can throw an effective screwball. Would take some unbelievable pronating ability that I don't have. Nonetheless, I've seen it look pretty filthy from Santiago. Wasn't there today at all though. I think he would have been okay if he would have relied on his 93-95 fastball though, and he has other pitches. Can't keep getting hurt on the pitch that isn't working. That said, he's going to get the next save opportunity. If it is another disaster, I believe you will see Reed and I believe Reed deserves the next shot. If Santiago is removed from the closer role, I want him starting in AAA.

QUOTE (SoxFan1 @ Apr 25, 2012 -> 06:45 PM) Through 18 games, I'm still kinda unsure about this team. They could have a record much better than 10-8 with a bit better execution. 3-4 at home, 7-4 on the road. Not all is lost. Robin has to figure out how to get these guys to chill out and quit making so many stupid mistakes though. By the way, the answer isn't less bunting -- it sure is to get some damn bunts down though.

QUOTE (South Side Fireworks Man @ Apr 25, 2012 -> 06:44 PM) Robin sure loves to bunt. Oh lord, not this again

QUOTE (caulfield12 @ Apr 25, 2012 -> 06:40 PM) Santiago to the minors and we keep watching Beckham, Morel and Viciedo fail? Okay. But Santiago should be tried as a starter, anyway. That will be the FLIGHT FROM HELL coming back home, though. And the Red Sox will be coming in with a 3 game streak...we win four in a row, twice now, give it right back. Once again, the perfect game or no hitter ends up having a bounceback effect on the team. Right. Santiago is in trouble if he blows his next one but it would be very ballsy by Ventura to pull him out of the role so quickly. Very weird that the screwball has been looking like s*** though. One thing I wouldn't do is have Santiago pitch in the MLB if he's not the closer. The instant you decide he isn't your closer, he needs to get stretched out to be a starter in AAA. He got pummeled by some righties, but he has the stuff to get both righties and lefites out. If he can't calibrate the screwball coming out of the pen, that's fine, but I wouldn't leave him up here to die as a middle reliever.

With the way some of you armchair manage, I have to wonder how many posters here have played competitive baseball.

I will lose respect for Robin if Santiago is the one player he decides to knee jerk out of his role. There's an argument to be made about whether he should have started there, but he saved 4 in a row and you can't pull players just like that. It'll ruin the clubhouse.

Screwball not screwing. Or is it? Hmm, wordplay

I will be SHOCKED if Santiago isn't the next guy to close a saveable game.

Wow, that hurts I don't think you can stop using him as closer yet though. 4/6 save opps usually doesn't get you fired. He's certainly got the heat on him now, though.

Screwball time

I like seeing Alexei going out to the mound telling him Yoenis' Cuban secrets

103_mph_screwball is not impressed

QUOTE (chw42 @ Apr 25, 2012 -> 06:25 PM) Stoney doesn't want to be thought of as a total homer. I totally understand. Tell him to get the hell on national TV for that

I don't understand why Stoney won't do the yes. It makes it look like he hates Hawk. It's fine for him to hate Hawk, but he can't act like it.

Don't stop now boys!

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Apr 25, 2012 -> 06:19 PM) So it's come to this, the Sox finally have to beat former Bears QB Jim Miller... Beat you to it

I hope we can hit former Bears quarterbacks as well as defenses once did