chitownsportsfan

I don't even understand how you would go about determining how the White Sox schedule compares to say, the Diamondbacks, or any AL/NL teams for that matter. For the most part, the two leagues are mutually exclusive, and the AL is almost univerally considered to be much tougher. So, have the Tigers, who have played an "easy" schedule in the AL, would that be considered "middle of the road", or "tough" in the NL? Perry is an idiot, and I believe he's a Royals fan, which might explain it. There's a reason he isn't writing for BP or ESPN and has instead been banished to Fox Sports.

Alright, get that man some Oxygen, and then a bong rip, and send him back out to that hill!

LOL, way to help the cause FG!

I don't understand how FG holds it together as well as he does. His stuff reminds me of what I saw in Division III college: mid 80's FB, looping curve, slider with no bite, and a change that can't get over the plate, except when it's right down the middle.

jesus, Ozzie must have these guys bunting all day long in practice.

How about for every 1-2-3 inning he gets a puff from BA's 4 foot bong? Talk about some positive reinforcement...

Hey, a 1-2-3 inning, lets make a habit of it FG...

That's a heck of a first post to try and live up to. Seriously, you should have just called someone a dirty word and left it at that. Nah, welcome aboard!

LOL, on Redleg nation they're taking bets on whether or not Clausen gets pinch hit for when he comes up next!

Jesus, I hope he's injured and this isn't just the new 87 MPH Freddie.

Perhaps Uribe can keep his front shoulder in and tatoo a couple more balls like he did last night? Granted, the chances seem slim, but if he could just learn to swing under control and remember "up the middle", "up the middle" he might gain some damn consistency. Maybe even BA can put a hurt on one. Maybe I"ll win the lottery.

We really should just open up a "Scott Podsednik Discussion" thread, because I'm pretty sure we could debate this all season. I think Pods is pretty damn average.

His career OPS+ of 67? His career OBP of .307? He's caught lighting in a bottle so far, I'll give him that. But he has proven himself a brutal hitter in his career. My hope is that Ozuna continues his hot hand, but I'm not expecting it.

OPS is the last stat you look at? I'd take Ricky Henderson as my prototypical leadoff hitter, and he could slug a little. And OBP comprises the more important (for a leadoff) part of OPS, so I wouldn't say it's that low on the list of stats. I'd say BA is the least important stat. OBP is where it's at for a leadoff, and I'd easily take a .250/360/425 line with say a 75% successful steal percentage, out of my leadoff man. Otherwise, I agree with everything you said about Pods.

and I'm easily confused

Ah, misread. Darn. I was pumped about watching him hit too!

Wow, Vasquez has posted a .650 career OPS...that's better than Timo.

I'd like a speedy leadoff hitter over one that isn't speedy for sure. However, I'm just against PODS being that man next year. He'll be 32 next year, and I don't think that bodes well for his skillset. He is essentially reliant on perfect health (and thus speed) for everything he does. His speed covers up his bad route running and noodle arm, it helps him hit for a high average and covers up his poor plate control, it helps him steal bases, which makes up for his anemic power. If he a) loses speed, or B) loses speed to injury, he's pretty much useless. I'm not sure who I'd like to replace him yet, but there is plenty of time to decide that in the offseason. What I have decided is that Pods should not be brought back. Can we offer him abritration? Or does he have a "club option"? His contract is a mystery to me, but I believe his last guaranteed year is 2006. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

The point you bring up about Cotts starting the 9th: I can't stand that either. If Jenks is your best pitcher, and he clearly is, then LET HIM START THE 9th. Too many times I've seen Jenks come on with a runner on because Thornton/Cotts/Politte/Logan/Tracey/Nelson put a runner on to start the inning. Just let Jenks always start the 9th in a close ballgame.

Although I hate Ozzie's obsession with the Lefty/Right matchup, I due enjoy his willingness to use Jenks in non-save situations. Ozzie seems to understand that a high leverage inning is a high leverage inning--regardless if the Sox are tied, up one, or down one. For example, I believe in the 2nd 4-3 win against the Tigers, Ozzie brought Jenks into the game in the 8th although the Sox weren't winning. Jenks worked a quick inning and the rest is a White Sox winner. I'd say Ozzie overall does a good job with the bullpen. It's one of his strong suits as a manager.

The Sox outfield in general is just one Jermaine Dye slump from being the worst in the majors. It's a scary thought, but it will happen at some point this season. Ozuna had a great night in the box score, but his 2 hits were just weakly hit balls that luckily fell in. He misplayed a ball in LF and had to make a diving effort on a rather routine play. I don't think a trade is necessary, but going forward into 2007, I don't feel Pods should be part of this outfield equation. If BA is going to give little to nothing offensively, and Dye is another year older, than we sure as hell better have a masher in LF. One word: Cabrera. Get it done KW!

I'm strangely confident in FG tonight. Perhaps the reality of hitting his position will wake his ass up. He hasn't pitched terribly this year, but I'd be damn happy with 7 innings and 3 runs.

I did see Albert Belle and Jason Grimsley hanging out with Thome during BP. I believe Albert gave Grimsley a bat from his "personal" stash and Grimsley crawled through a air conditioning duct to place it in the bat rack.

Nah, it won't have much of an impact either way, and guys have settled into a role at this point in the season. To risk throwing them off a familiar mental approach isn't worth the "theoretical" gains of having Dye bat earlier.

Lopez pitched tonight for Boston, giving up a walk and a hit, but also inducing a double play. I really like this deal. Riske can settle into a low pressure, low leverage role and make sure Cotts and B-MAC don't get overworked. Lopez has been junk his whole career, and I believe the Red Sox are hoping his AAA stats from this year are somehow indicitive he's turned a corner--I however, am speptical.