RME JICO

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Aug 26, 2008 -> 08:01 AM) For example, here is what I fear... Twins 93-69 White Sox 92-70 1GB I fear this: Twins 93-69 DIV Red Sox 93-69 WC White Sox 92-70 1GB However, the Twins are starting to show signs of slowing down (lost 3 straight) and they still have a bunch left on a long road trip. If we are about 3 games up after their road trip, we will be in a pretty good spot. For us, the 3 game set at Boston this weekend and the last 3 game set at Minnesota seem to be the make or break series for us. Boston has a ton of injury issues (Beckett, Drew, Lowell, Wakefield), which might allow the WC to come out of the Central. I believe if we get into the playoffs, we have a great shot to make it out of the AL. Our 4-man rotation, 3-4-5 batters, and Closer are hard to beat.

On their current road trip, Minnesota still has 2 more in Seattle, 4 in Oakland, and 3 in Toronto.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AteW...o&type=lgns

"Bite me Arizona!" "Got Wood"

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Aug 25, 2008 -> 10:42 AM) According to our beautiful contract sheet, 2009 is Q's last Pre-arb year. Which means that if you plan on trying to lock him up long term after 2009, you may as well expect to give him 5/75 or something in that range, because that's what he'll be getting anyway. So doesn't that make the cutoff after 2010? So you lock him up after 2009 and still won't have to worry about outrageous contracts yet and can actually buy out some of his first few years of free agency with a 5 year deal.

QUOTE (Dick Allen @ Aug 25, 2008 -> 10:31 AM) Borderline? C'mon. Was AJP impeded at all? He stuck his elbow out. He made contact and fell down doing so. It was a great play by him, but a horrific call. We will all take it, however. Maybe the worst, or best call of the year depending on who you are cheering for. If a defensive player is within elbows reach of a baserunner, I would say that is too close and in the path of the baserunner. It would've been different if AJ reached out and slapped him with his arm fully extended, but it was his elbow half-cocked while he is changing directions. Players run with their hands out all the time, and especially to regain balance when changing directions. AJ knew the defensive player was in his path, so just by touching him would make it a possible obstruction call.

With 5 very young pitchers, it is hard not to believe that 1 or 2 of them will start to drop off performance-wise this late in the season. It is just the nature of the game. It happened to Danks last year, and the Sox were not even in the race.

I think you wait one more year. If there is no regression in 2009, you lock him up for the long term. However, you definitely need to take advantage of his arb years to maximize the payroll flexibility of the team.

QUOTE (LosMediasBlancas @ Aug 25, 2008 -> 10:08 AM) I think we disagree on almost everything. I don't think AJ's play was bush league, it was a desperate, last resort and the umps blew it. You're right, there is no way of knowing what might have happened had it been called correctly. I felt relieved that we won, for me that's not the same thing as feeling good. Why do you believe the umps blew it? It was a borderline call that could've went either way. Regardless, if AJ is called out, Thome is still walked to get to Ramirez, then Ramirez's hit would've easily scored Dye from 2nd who would be running with 2 outs. Either way it was a nice come from behind win.

I am sure most fans have very similar sentiments towards their teams when they are winning or losing. Winning = Optimists declare a World Series Championship, hand out MVP/ROY awards, etc. Losing = Pessimists say I told ya so, see we really do suck, fire the manager, release all players in slumps. BLOW.THIS.TEAM.UP

So we will actually bat in back to back half innings. Cabrera has the chance to bat twice in a row. End the first game and leadoff the second game.

It is not interference, it is obstruction:

How many times have the Sox starters had a no-hitter past the 5th this year? I know Danks and Floyd had a couple. It is amazing how the Sox pitchers are becoming all or nothing. Ozzie probably should've pulled JV after walking Gross, but that it easy to say now. Just sucks to lose 2 at home in the fashion the Sox have the last 2 games. They showed a stat how TB has outscored the Sox 11-2 from the 7th inning on. The 8th has been extremely brutal with 7 runs allowed in 2 games. Linebrink needs to get healthy quick. I am surprised we have lasted this long without him. Also, I can't believe TB is beating us without Longoria or Crawford.

Bad call.

Great start for Danks. 2 Ks and a quick 1-2-3 inning. This Rays lineup doesn't look like much without Crawford and Longoria.

QUOTE (IlliniKrush @ Aug 22, 2008 -> 12:11 PM) Also, wearing your name and an off the wall number on a jersey is beyond pointless. So you are saying that Lostfan and Steve9347 are beyond pointless then. Nice.

Eck in 1990, only 45 baserunners in 73 innings is ridiculous with a WHIP of 0.61. His 5 year run from 88-92 may be the most dominant stretch ever for a reliever: 359.2 IP, 1.90 ERA, 0.70 WHIP, 247 H, 76 ER, 38 BB, 378K and 220 Saves in 5 seasons. Also, a 5 time All-Star, AL MVP, and Cy Young in that period while winning a World Series to boot. How about the 2003 Houston Astros bullpen having Billy Wagner, Octavio Dotel and Brad Lidge.

He has averaged 11 saves a month until August. This month he has completely dropped off with only 4 so far with 2 blown saves. It looks like it will come down to the wire.

QUOTE (ChiSox_Sonix @ Aug 22, 2008 -> 05:47 AM) This scenario reminds me of what led to this all-time soxtalk classic post... http://www.soxtalk.com/forums/index.php?sh...mp;#entry332285 Wow, that is a great post.

I hate the Angels and Twins. They are so alike. Can't they both lose.

A Bartman Cubs jersey.......

What else was he expected to say back then?

Also, he has hit much better lower in the order than he did leading off or as the #2. If he hit 5-8 all season, he would probably be at a .260 batting average with an .830ish OPS.

QUOTE (WCSox @ Aug 20, 2008 -> 08:16 PM) The Sox offense actually has a ton of talent and I think that most people expected them to recover. However, several members of the bullpen (Logan, Thornton, Dotel) over-performed in comparison to their numbers over the past few seasons. Even if Thornton and Dotel continue to pitch like they did in April and May, Logan's gone and Linebrink's status is still up in the air. Given that pitching will be more important in October (should the Sox make it), I'll call the Sox a "pretty good" team, rather than a "terrific" one. Carrasco has been very solid as well. Comparing what we have to what other teams have in respect to lineup, rotation, and bullpen; I think we match up pretty well versus any team in the league.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Aug 20, 2008 -> 05:01 PM) The sox pounding someone? Or you pounding someone watching it? or both?