YASNY

Had to laugh at Stoney's comments about Hawkins after the game .... "he's a good set up man, but as a closer, he's a good set up man."

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Apr 9, 2005 -> 01:27 AM) That's really going to be the difference in determining whether the Sox are on the golf course in October or actually playing baseball still. I like our chances. health over the season will play a big role. But the starting staff is solid, top to bottom, and the bullpen is strong which should keep the starters from wearing down at the end of the year. Theoretically, this pitching staff is set up for the long haul (the season) and the short haul (playoffs).

That make 4 quality starts in for 4 games. As far as starting pitching goes, so far so good.

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Apr 8, 2005 -> 06:12 PM) well here are my 2 cents. While the offense went dead after a fast start they scored 5 runs and thats all it should need to win a game in my opinion. As for the managing of the bullpen.... Well like everyone else said 3 RP's in one inning is not a good thing but here is where the rest of you are wrong. Hermason pitched great the 8th inning but with a 3 run lead going into the 9th you always go to your closer. And than that was fine when Shingo came in back after the 2nd solo HR Vizcaino should of came in to finish it off... yes he was our last RP but as shown blowing the save and relying on him isnt a better thing. After the 2nd HR they already had 2 outs so Vizcaino should of easily got the last out. That, I agree with. If Shingo was throwing those meatballs up there like everyone said, then Ozzie should have jerked him after that second dinger. No doubt.

QUOTE(BridgeportHeather @ Apr 9, 2005 -> 12:53 AM) We will not be facing Sabathia in our series at the Jake. He just made his first start for their minor league team in Akron and isn't scheduled to start until the 17th against the Twins, where I hope he kills Minnesota to win me great fantasy points. Thank you. That's good news.

I agree. It's past time to move on. I was listening to the Score on the way into work and someone called in complaining about Ozzie using 3 pitchers in that inning. This was AFTER we had won tonights game. :headshake

QUOTE(South Side Fireworks Man @ Apr 9, 2005 -> 12:50 AM) With Ozuna getting a start in left, it looks more and more as if Timo's days with the Sox are numbered with Frank coming back. Why replace Pods with Timo, another lefty?

I propose that whoever starts a game thread is responsible for putting game time alomg with television and radio info in the first post.

Speaking of possible pitching match ups, has anyone heard if we'll face Sabathia in Cleveland?

QUOTE(IlliniKrush @ Apr 8, 2005 -> 10:51 PM) Talked to my friend in Florida, and the sox game on direct tv was not available because it was on WCIU. That's true. WCIU games are not on Extra Innings unless you can get the opposing teams feed.

QUOTE(BHAMBARONS @ Apr 9, 2005 -> 12:05 AM) I doubt any trade with Feilds waiting in the wings Feilds looked very impressive tonight. He will be the future at 3rd Fields is a good two years away, most likely.

Ozzie's got to keep these guys sharp and involved. I understand why he played Harris, but I found it ironic that Iguchi is considered questionable on defense because he's used to turf and his first day off is at the Hump.

QUOTE(Jabroni @ Apr 9, 2005 -> 12:00 AM) Jose Valentine? Sometimes that "e" just jumps in there and there's not a damn thing you can do to prevent ite.

QUOTE(jphat007 @ Apr 9, 2005 -> 12:12 AM) If its not too bad, but bad enough so where he can't go tomorrow, why wouldn't Garland just pitch on Sunday, while Burly pitches on Saturday. That way you don't have to move Freddy up and everybody would be back on normal rest with the off day on Tuesday. That's a possibility, but the flu does sap your strength and endurance. If this effects Garland more than a day or two, Contreras would also have to pitch on 3 days rest on Monday. The day off on Tuesday should get everything back in sync, then they could drop Garland back in the rotation where they think is best.

Strange. I would expect them to not fund this project anymore and immediately begin planning on another, new, project to send new rovers up there.

QUOTE(Jabroni @ Apr 8, 2005 -> 05:52 PM) CUBS LOSE, CUBS LOSE!!! A perfect ending to another wonderful opening day at Wrigley.

QUOTE(3E8 @ Apr 8, 2005 -> 05:27 PM) I NEED 8 TOTAL RUNS IN THIS GAME TO MAKE $$$!!! You got it!

Today, Cub fans are in heaven. It's opening day at Wrigley Field. As they are walking up to ballpark, they see all their fellow Cub fans wearing the Cubby blue hard hats. As they get closer to "the Shrine" they all get to experience the memory enhancing smell of old urine. Then, inside the park, they walk up ramps and admire the quaintness of the netting on the under side of the upper deck as they kick away bits of concrete laying at their feet. Then the field opens up before their eyes as they hit the top of the ramps. They all stop and and admire the brown lifeless vines along the outfield walls. Then as the Cubs take the field, you feel the aniticipation ... then confusion. You hear whispers. Something's wrong! Why isn't Sammy sprinting out to right field? Where's Sosa? Opening day at Wrigley ... You gotta love it.

QUOTE(nitetrain8601 @ Apr 8, 2005 -> 05:08 PM) I'm still strongly supporting Crede. He'll turn it around. CREDE's CREW 2005!!!!!! Well, I'm not "strongly supporting" Crede. I do think it's too early to give up on him. Of course, I said that about Rowand, Konerko and Lee when people were wanting to dump them for a bag of used baseballs.

QUOTE(BobDylan @ Apr 8, 2005 -> 05:01 PM) :headshake My sentiments, exactly.

QUOTE(WilliamTell @ Apr 8, 2005 -> 12:24 PM) Yes I see what you're saying. I just think that for this club, having a good April and May is the key to our success. I'm just afraid of our traditional slump where we go 2-8. We can't have that this year. I think if we get off to a hot start, it's less likely for that to happen. With our starting rotation, that is less likely to happen.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Apr 8, 2005 -> 04:57 PM) True -- it's hard to compare a leadoff hitter and a middle of the order hitter, but I bet Lee has a higher OPS, OBP, AVG, RBI's, HR's, and X-tra Base hits than Pods. I don't know what's hard to understand about that, I just think Lee will do better than Pods... It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out.

QUOTE(JUGGERNAUT @ Apr 8, 2005 -> 12:34 PM) The meltdown had me focusing more on pitch counts. Ozzie needs to do the same. I ignored that split for the most part for the past couple of years but it really does help to define a player's strength & weaknesses. I was surprised to find Shingo's OPS vs to be as high as 840 when he throws more than 15 pitches. But no one can argue with his 439 OPS vs for his first 15 pitches. For every save opportunity Oz needs to view Shingo as a closer on a short leash. If he can't get it done in 15-20 pitches yank him. Really? You're focused on pitched counts? Wow. I never would have realized that.

QUOTE(Steve Bartman's my idol @ Apr 8, 2005 -> 10:50 AM) You are right, I never did think that Shingo would blow the lead, however, while listening to the game, I was a little pissed that Ozzie took out Dustin, he should of at least started the ninth inning, if someone gets on, then bring in Shingo. Yet, there are a lot of people here at Soxtalk that will tell you never to do that with Shingo..... that he pitch well from the start of the inning, but he's not the type to put out the fire.

QUOTE(BridgeportHeather @ Apr 8, 2005 -> 12:42 PM) I wouldn't be surprised if Moronotti fires back with a complete article intended to diss Hawk. No way. Mariotti will just take his little digs at Hawks when he can slip them in.