ecoyne

damn that was hit hard

There we go Mack starts the game off well

QUOTE(RX Bandits @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 08:43 PM) White Sox Baseball" Because the three run homer is so exciting. I'd be tempted to change "the three run homer" to the "solo homer"

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 08:16 PM) I really want to go all Tonya Harding on Mack, and it's not his fault at all. I agree, I feel that for the most part, Ozzie has set him up for failure by playing him in center.

QUOTE(VAfan @ Aug 8, 2006 -> 06:45 PM) We are 65-45 with 52 games left in the regular season. Reasons for hope. -- After months of moves, the White Sox finally have a stable and deep bullpen. And, thanks to Ozzie, it has once again pitched the fewest innings in baseball. It is rested and ready for a stretch run. Our bullpen has also blown only 12 saves -- only 5 teams have blown fewer. I think there is a reason why Ozzie has allowed his bullpen to be so well rested. It has not been stable this season with a combined ERA of 4.33. They are ranked 19th in major league baseball at this point in time by virtue of this stat. In 2005, the White Sox bullpen finished 3rd with a combined ERA of 3.23. You have to admit, the bullpen that is present today is a far cry from the efforts of last year.

I really don't understand why Ozzie continues to put Rob Mack in centerfield, besides the left handed advantage. However, if you look at Wang's splits vs. left/right handed hitters, there isn't really a signifcant advantage for left handed batters (BA's: lefties = .268, righties = .263). Mack may hit righties better than Anderson, but I would take Anderson's defense over Mack's in an instant. A saved run is as good as one run scored. If a mistake is made by him in the field, you can bet his mistake is going to cost them more than one run. Because as we have seen in the past, Freddy pouts and loses focus when mistakes are made behind him. You know how Bill Simmons coined the "DLowe" face? Well its time for the "Freddy" face.

I am really interested to see how the Sox respond to Chien Ming Wang's sinker. While I don't have the stats handy, don't the White Sox have difficulty facing pitchers they have never faced before? Let me know if this is wrong. Although, Wang has struggled away from Yankee Stadium, he has a record of 4-3 and an ERA of 4.99, at home, he has a record 9-1 and an ERA of 2.66. To add to Yankee momentum, Robinson Cano is said to be returning to the lineup tonight. Cano was batting .325 with an OBP of .353 prior to his injury. Still, in his 4 career AB's facing Freddy, Cano was unable to reach base. Tonight is going to be very tough for the White Sox. While the White Sox were returning home from Toronto to prepare and play a game against the Angels, the Yankees were flying from Baltimore and resting. In regards to tonight's starting pitching, I really don't know what to say about Freddy, but it's obvious his velocity has departed, and he hasn't signifanctly changed his delivery to make up for this lack in velocity. Compound this with a manager who believes a bit too much in his starters (or demands too much) and there is a recipe for disaster. Then there is the bullpen. With a collective ERA of 4.33 (currently ranked 19th in the majors), it is understandable for Ozzie to be hesistant to turn the ball over to an inconistent bullpen. With all these difficulties involving the bullpen, the White Sox still hold the lead in most runs scored at 625. The offense has done it's job this season, it's time for the pitching to catch up. As a personal note, if it's true Uribe's back is really the cause of his absence, please get well soon Juan. Edit: sorry for the repeat of Wang's stats Tito

QUOTE(southsideirish71 @ Aug 7, 2006 -> 10:15 PM) So what is your suggestion, keep rolling with the starters and pray that the first 100 or so odd games were a fluke. Do I have an answer? Hell no. It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation for Ozzie right now

the thing is, the bullpen hasn't exactly been lights out either, look what happened yesterday in Toronto.

8-3 Tigers the saga continues. . .

QUOTE(G&T @ Aug 7, 2006 -> 10:07 PM) Here's my problem with this: when a guy is going bad, a manager has to work with the knowledge that something bad is probably going to happen. Just like with Vazquez, Ozzie doesn't seem to get it. exactly, its the job of the manager to make the players look good, not the other way around Carrasco is bad, very bad, there is still a chance

QUOTE(BigSqwert @ Aug 7, 2006 -> 10:00 PM) Good call. i know i know, but he has been an automatic out for most of the season. I cannot believe he got on base, but then again, i didn't think Ozzie would allow Buerhle to pitch to him either. go figure

I'm telling you guys, Figgins can't do sh*t, don't worry. You think Pods is a terrible lead off hitter, check out Figgins

I would rather face Figgins than Molina, hands down.

i can't believe they allowed him to pitch to joe

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Aug 7, 2006 -> 09:23 PM) You mean Javy Lopez? You think we were ready/willing to take on his contract? Not directed at you heads, but. . . Trust me, Red Sox fans are none too pleased with an aging catcher who can't catch and can't produce offensively at the level he once did. The guy allows people to steal with ease. That game ending DP with the bases loaded the other night sealed his fate with them, that is for sure

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Aug 7, 2006 -> 09:11 PM) Anderson is due for his daily hit. That will come in the 9th

Buerhle is definitely benefiting from the Angels impatience, I wonder how long it will last

pods and iguchi first pitch swinging - quality right there

QUOTE(TitoMB345 @ Aug 6, 2006 -> 04:39 PM) Phew, atleast we don't have to face Ryan now. We can get some on, get one in, and THEN face Ryan to kill our momentum. they'll be facing bj for the full 9th - he'll kill it before it even gets started

well at least we will see the top of the order next inning. Maybe Pods can get on

another spiff the bed game - good luck getting those three runs guys

Ozzie, I really hope you're right on this, because Catalannatto can stroke this in right field and bring in another run like that.

way to go jose

thanks thome, unless things progress next inning, we are going to have cintron-mack-anderson facing BJ. Yes, they have got to him before, but something tells me thats not going to be happening today.