PorkChopExpress

It seems like the opposing pitcher always knows our guys' strategy that day. If they're swinging early, the pitches always seem to be out of the zone and our guys are swinging at trash, but if they're being patient, the pitcher is throwing middle/middle strikes and getting ahead 0/2, 1/2 on everybody.

More likely that TLR sees "LHP" and keeps him because we don't have any other lefty starters. I think we'll probably see someone else coincidentally go to the IL when Lynn gets back to buy a little time to see if Cueto is legit, and whether we can trade anyone before having to decide to cut DK or VV.

It makes me think a bit of the movie 42, and that Ben Chapman scene. It's somewhat ironic how Chapman tried to defend himself - I was just trying to rattle him, same as I have done to DiMaggio - or something to that effect, and how Donaldson trying to defend himself sounds similar - I was just kidding, like I've done before, trying to get under his skin. Maybe I'm totally off. Also, as I saw some folks on MLB Network mention, the fact that Donaldson is still thinking about something TA said in a 2019 article in May 2022 is very telling. Why is it still in the forefront of his mind such that he would think to say something about it to take a dig at TA? Obsess much? I think it's pretty clear that Donaldson has a problem with TA (and frankly the White Sox in general based on his behavior and statements against the Sox), and he said something to antagonize TA that was specifically tied to TA and his race, and he did it with mal intent. The guy is a douche.

If only we had people in our minor league system who could develop them.

This makes me wonder whether the constantly changing lineups is directly affecting the hitting negatively. Other than TA, the players haven't really had consistent "roles" day in and day out, and have had different players hitting in front of and behind them in the order, which I would think leads to inconsistent approaches/gameplans day in and day out, which I could easily see as negatively affecting their hitting.

So I guess that means KC will go deep multiple times today against Velasquez.

I have a horrible feeling he will be traded for some ridiculous veteran reliever, or utility guy at or before the TDL. And if so, wherever he goes, he will do very well.

It's the weather.

They need something like this with about 90 sections to peel off for each win:

I love how the only White Sox highlight on the MLB app for this game is “Dallas Keichel’s two strikeouts.” Pathetic.

The double plays are far more frustrating. With teams knowing that Robert is a likely threat to run, it changes the pitch strategy with Abreu. All those low and away sliders and stuff should be considered riskier. Plus the pitchers (and catchers) may also make mistakes when they’re thinking about Robert. It’s a very good thing.

Seriously? Free publicity? He got plenty of publicity just playing baseball. If a reporter truly reported something known to be untrue and it damaged his reputation, I hope he succeeds in holding them accountable. That type of thing goes on way too much these days where success is made on number of clicks and not integrity.

If that happens they will have to get another legitimate pitcher as their 1-2 is gone for the first 1-2 months of the year.

That's going to turn out to be a real nice trade. I like having Pollock on this team.

But why would those crappy teams trade anything for him when they can just try and pick him up off waivers? Unless they had players in a similar position (no more options and not going to make the OD roster) that would fit on the White Sox roster.

Until Tatis gets back, maybe. Then what? Rotating DH?

Are the Royals and Tribe better or worse than last year? Because we only went 9-10 against the Royals and 10-9 against CLE, and that 10-9 felt much worse because we struggled to hold a lead against them so often. Both of those teams seem to have an extra gear when they play us and take extra pleasure in beating us. We went 13-6 against MIN last year, but I don't see that happening again since our recent history against them would suggest otherwise. We went 12-7 against DET, and we tend to do well against them, but I think they've improved. So when people talk about the "weak" Central Division, and how we'll coast to another division title, it just feels like over-confidence. I hope you're right.

It feels more like we're headed to winning 85 games and losing in the ALDS (or a play-in game).

While we're always focused on the big league roster and immediate impact moves, the FO needs to be fielding teams at every level, and in doing so, trying to find players with potential MLB-value, e.g., a "change of scenery," or "lightning in a bottle" type player. I think that's all this is. They know it's more than likely we're going to have to call up some minor league OF help throughout the season, so why not get a guy who can actually field, bats LH, has been able to hit in the minors (and even in the majors for a short stint). On a side note, I could see the Phillies signing a Brett Gardner or Brian Goodwin. Or maybe swinging a trade for Meadows. I guess I could see them signing Conforto but that's them paying for three of the top OF FAs. A bit much, but not out of the question.

Abreu needs to sit more against righties this year.

If that relationship is already bad, then yeah, screwing him over won't make it any worse. Plus, it's what this says about how you treat your players to every other player out there, particularly free agents, but also guys on your current roster and in your system, i.e., $50k, and winning the arbitration dispute is more important than rewarding good performance and winning actual baseball games. Kind of like providing crappy, flat champagne for a victory celebration.

If there are other options for Conforto (and there seem to be plenty), why would he, or any free agent, choose to go to a team that treats their top players like this? Unless they’re overpaying, which the Sox never seem to do, at least for top talent (they regularly overpay guys like Leury), the top talent is never going to choose the Sox.

I’m thinking the Angels swoop in at the last minute and pick up Freeman. Then they deal Walsh for something to fill one of their other weaknesses. Walsh does play RF. Just saying.

Hell yes! Go, Marquette! Go, go, go, go, gooooooo, goooooooo….

QUOTE (joejoedairy @ May 12, 2017 -> 12:00 PM) Any reports on how this went? I'm sure they'll just say he felt fine afterward. Rodon pitched well, but took the loss due to a lack of run support.