Dick Allen

I think this is the 11th game this season that the Sox scored at least 6 runs and lost. Even if you expected the pitching to fall back a little bit, that's too high of a number.

Who cares about close. Bases loaded and nobody out, and not plating any really haunts the Sox. Who would have thunk it.

QUOTE(Steve9347 @ Aug 9, 2006 -> 10:51 AM) Nope. I don't care if Mark is struggling, he's earned the right to work out the issues. That last start would have been fine if it weren't for a bad call. Let him work it out. I have no problem having Buerhle work out his issues, but it shouldn't be at the expense of the team. When he gets in trouble late, get him out of there. I don't understand having your bullpen ready when the score is 3-2, and not using them until the score is 6-2. Maybe Ozzie is sick of all the McCarthy talk, but I bet you BMac has at least as much trade value as 4 of our starters, and maybe all 5.

QUOTE(Steve9347 @ Aug 9, 2006 -> 09:45 AM) I must say, throughout this season, I have claimed that Jim Thome, not Jermaine Dye, was our team's MVP, because of the effect his presence has had on the entire lineup. However, from World Series MVP to now, I must change my vote to Jermaine Dye. Though I understand that Thome may have had an effect at the beginning of the season, Jermaine Dye has risen to the top of baseball's outfielders. He has absolutely killed the ball this season, and always seems to come up with the big hit. Am I the only person who thinks that at the end of the season, rather than activating Dye's option for another year, the White Sox should offer him a new, 3-year deal, at around 10-12 mill per season? I think it is the right thing to do, at this point. He has more than earned that money, and should be locked up for a few more years, at least until the end of his prime. I don't care who we have in AAA (hell left field should be open!) Dye has had a great season, and was an excellent pick-up for what appears to be a bargain rate. I would hold off extending him however until next year. His stock right now is at an all time high, hardly the time you want to lock him in. If he continues his tear into next season, his price would probably be near what it would be right now. If he tails off a little, his price will go down. Patience I say.

QUOTE(SnB @ Aug 9, 2006 -> 09:18 AM) There is no need to wear sox gear at a regular cubs game. None at all, unless you really really need attention. Believe me, I don't need attention and I don't ever try and start trouble at any game I'm at. I just would be sickened if I was ever confused for a Cubs fan.

QUOTE(tonyho7476 @ Aug 9, 2006 -> 08:44 AM) Of course there were plenty of annoying yankee fans at the game. But I saw a guy wearing full Twins gear...hat and jersey. Why do these morons grace our park? What is the point of this thread? I don't know. I was just annoyed by that. Not to mention the moron I saw in full Cubs gear. But that is always going to happen. I occassionally go to the Urinal with my Cubs fan friends. I always make sure I'm sporting something with White Sox on it, even if the Sox aren't playing, just so the people in the stands know I'm smarter than them.

That was a huge win. Garcia came back from being terrible and shut them down. The Sox were able to overcome Mack in CF and some questionable baserunning to win the game. Big homer off Riviera by Paulie.Hopefully this will propel the Sox into a hot streak. QUOTE(WhiteSoxfan1986 @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 11:49 PM) Anyone else suprised at how deep Damon was playing? He didn't have a chance, especially with Tad running. Have to question Torre on that one. With a guy on second and one out, you have to play the batter honest. You don't assume he's going to get a base hit. If Damon is playing in and Dye hits a deep drive that isn't caught, Torre will be questioned about that. He did the right thing, but got beat anyway. Good job by JD.

Unfortunately QuesTec will be at the park and Freddy probably needs the corners tonight. It doesn't look good for the White Sox.

Negativity? White Sox fans? All you have to do is watch the broadcast of White Sox games to know the real reason the Sox are losing, and have a team ERA over 5.50 since the All Star break. Its the umpires.

QUOTE(fathom @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 08:42 AM) Don Cooper was just on the Mike North show, and he blamed QuesTec also. My question is that if we're going to whine about our pitchers not getting the corners, then we might as well get rid of Buehrle, and try to bring in someone who can get a strikeout. Wasn't QuesTec installed earlier in the season when Buerhle was cruising? Its not like its a new deal. I'm sure he's pitched in stadiums with it for many years, and he's never been lit up like he has been the last month. Excuses are just so weak IMO. If you suck, just say you suck. I'm really dissappointed in Buerhle, I thought he was more of a man than this. He needs to hold himself accountable for his struggles.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 08:30 AM) What about the argument that if you drag the SP earlier, it'll be harder for them to pitch better in the future, because it shows that you don't have the confidence in them to go more than say 5 innings? It's a fine balancing act though, and one that this team really needs to figure out, and in a hurry. The confidence factor might be a good argument, but the Sox starters are all veterans, and should be able to handle being yanked out of a game. If their confidence is shattered or their feelings hurt, they need to be moved to another team in the offseason. The White Sox need to win games, not make sure everyone's feelings are OK. Its 3 times in the last week Ozzie gave a different member of the the greatest rotation ever assembled the benefit of the doubt and left him in the game. Its also been 3 times this week that the decision to leave his starter in has backfired. Lets try something new. Leaving them in isn't working. We hear about the playoffs and the WBC taking its toll on White Sox starters. If thats the case, why have White Sox starters pitched more innings than any other team's starters? It makes no sense.

Reading the morning paper it looks like Buerhle finally has figured out what is causing him to struggle. Its not lights in a scoreboard helping hitters, its not the catcher, its not the high change-ups or the meatball 84 mph fastballs right down the middle of the plate, it turns out its QuesTec's fault. Thank God thats figured out.

QUOTE(DBAH0 @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 06:00 AM) Hence why Ozzie probably doesn't have a lot of confidence in his bullpen right now. Hopefully the likes of Jenks and Cotts can turn around their mini slumps and get back to where they were pitching last season. I still don't understand his actions or lack of actions last night. The bullpen was ready when the score was 3-2 and there was 1 man on base. Maybe he doesn't have confidence in the bullpen, but Buerhles ERA has been about 10.00 his last 6 starts or so and he had given up 3 homeruns last night. The score of the game is 3-2 and the Sox really need to win games. How do you not go to the bullpen until the score is 6-2? It is beyond stupid. If Ozzie left Buerhle in and he wiggled out of the jam with no damage, we would hear what a genius Ozzie is, how he just got Buerhle even more confidence, etc. Well he left him in until the game was out of reach. It may show that Ozzie isn't quite the genius he's made out to be. Any manager is a genius when they get pitching like Ozzie did in 2005 and Leyland is getting in 2006.

If the starters are fatiqued, its time the manager stops relying on them getting tough outs late, and uses the bullpen. He's used the bullpen less than any other manager this year. Leaving starters in 2 or 3 or 4 batters too long isn't going to raise their confidence and it isn't going to alleviate their fatique. Tonight, Ozzie had a horrible inning. Maybe it cost the Sox the game, maybe it didn't, but it sure did take any hope away.

QUOTE(SoxHawk1980 @ Aug 7, 2006 -> 08:47 PM) LMAO. Do you think that Ozzie EVER looks at statistics? I doubt he ever even takes a glance at them. I actually saw him and Cooper looking in a book the other day. It kind of ruined his managing from the gut persona.

The Sox were outmanaged tonight. Ozzie has to give his team the best chance to win the game. Its time to quit screwing around, and watch what is going on. The starters are getting lit up, bring in the bullpen.

QUOTE(CWSGuy406 @ Aug 7, 2006 -> 08:38 PM) 97? I think you're looking at a hot gun... 95-96 is reasonable, and Jose this year has been around 92-94. I don't think the difference is as huge as you're making it out to be. But again, the burden of proof is on you to show that championship teams' pitchers suffer the next year. If that was true, I'm almost 100% positive it would be more widespread knowledge... Contreras was 89-91 yesterday. He hasn't been the same since his back injury.

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Aug 7, 2006 -> 08:37 PM) The long warning track shot previous to the 2 runners getting on was all the warning he should of needed. The fact that he gave up 3 dongs before also should of been a clue. Even the cameraman thought the long flyout was gone. Maybe its just muscle memory now with Buerhle on the mound.

QUOTE(fathom @ Aug 7, 2006 -> 08:32 PM) His velocity was down earlier in the year. I had never heard this, but the radio said that there was a report he had a bad shoulder to start the season. Widger said his shoulder had been bothering him back in April I believe. What I don't understand is obviously there is something wrong if everyone's velocity is down and the Sox long playoff run, which was almost as short as possible when winning a WS. Why has McCarthy not stepped into the rotation, or even better yet, why does the White Sox rotation lead all rotations in innings pitched?

The Sox still have a chance for the playoffs. But Buerhle is going to have to turn it around. Garcia is going to have to pitch much better. Vazquez has to show last outing wasn't a fluke. Contreras has to start pitching like he did before his back injury, and Garland has to keep pitchng like he has lately. The offense is stressed out. They need to score 6 or 7 almost every game to have a chance. That will take a toll.

They blame the playoffs and the WBC for Garcia's troubles. For a guy who supposedly isn't as effective because he's been pitching too much, he sure does look out of shape to me.

QUOTE(CWSOX45 @ Aug 7, 2006 -> 08:17 PM) So even if we lose tonight, we're tied for the wild card lead, with say about 50+ games to go.....so how did we all of a sudden get eliminated? The next 6 games will be very telling. If they don't pitch any better, you may stick a fork in this season.

If Detroit doesn't win the Central, it will be one of the biggest choke jobs in history.

QUOTE(CWSOX45 @ Aug 7, 2006 -> 08:14 PM) I just got off work.....how long did Buehrle go? Someone please tell me that Ozzie pulled him before he imploded....then again I wouldn't be surprised if he kept him in too long.... It was Ozzie's darkest moment actually managing a game IMO.

Shut up Hawk. Mark Buerhle gets $9 million a year. Maybe he could pitch over a walk every now and then.