caulfield12

Sounds like 2016...minus one month, the Texas debacle and desperation trades from a non-contender that everyone could see but the front office. Sure, the starting pitching will keep us in it, along with CLE injuries, but the bullpen and defense provide pretty much zero confidence other than Hendriks and hopefully Bummer is coming around.

No joy in Mudville tonight.

Now we get beat by a former Indians 1B/DH who was so bad at hitting they gave up on him... At least Twins decided to contest their series with CLE.

7th homer of year on the cutter, like the Giolito and especially Rodon changeups that bring similar results. With Kikuchi, it’s the lack of speed differential on his secondary stuff that gets him in trouble.

Interestingly, both homers by catchers in DH roles.

Btw, we need a better farm system. Except for the Astros, 3/4 series facing former catching prospects of the same organization. Mejia, Hedges and now Torrens (Nola trade).

And the Twins started some dude named Coulombe, so not mounting much resistance there, either.

The easier schedule over the next stretch of 16 games might allow him to regain his confidence...there’s that.

The Weather Channel hour by hour forecast is usually a bit more accurate.

If they get Seager back at 100%, they should be fine. Lux has been adequate, one step or tier up from Mendick, comparatively. Betts has had a very pedestrian year for a former MVP, and they just got Bellinger back but his 15-20 games actually played were suboptimal. Still not sure an aging Kershaw or Jansen can be counted on after a 162 game season, but they have proven doubters wrong before. For the first 60-70 games, they’ve been forced to play 1-2 no name outfielders similar to what the Sox are running out there due to all the injuries.

No idea with KW, but wish we had another version of Marco Paddy for Asia/Pacific Rim since we’re so limited with high draft picks and Caribbean international free agents right now.

It’s already sold out or just lower bowl and bleachers?

Walker Buehler...a bit premature, the Dodgers also have lost 7 of last 8 against Padres and most importantly have to pass SFG or will be stuck in a sudden death wild card game with Darvish vs. Kershaw/Buehler. Giants are the story of the early season...with Indians not too far behind. Cubs or Astros/Rays/A’s also, with Twins biggest disappointment along with Yankees, Cards and Braves.

Nobody really knows anything right now, conclusively. China just decided that 85% vaccinated is what they need for herd immunity, but nobody except their own scientists are sure whether their vaccines work or not, and with what efficacy rate. Then you have those states (some with MLB teams) with much lower than 50% immunization levels...and the Delta/Indian variants starting to take hold all around the world, places like UK, Israel and a number of European countries already going backwards. You can argue that hotel room rates, gas and rental cars are all more expensive this summer, but that’s a lousy excuse to diminish the broadcast experience so much.

Plus, now we have to hear about the combined Cubs no-hitter with about a bazillion walks over the Dodgers for the next three weeks...yikes.

Would prefer KW and “not Han/Hahn” from Fast & the Furious spend less time upending buffet tables or throwing laundry baskets angrily and more time finding some players. Indians player, “Wow, our manager survived the BoSox chicken and beer player revolt and Trevor Bauer...while your GM can throw some Tide across the room.”

Sure, but hard to predict after the end of the season slump he went through. One month in, it was mostly comps with Trout...unfair, of course.

Going to have to mix it up with Lamb/Collins/Goodwin...

Almost every MLB team is doing this...for example, the Dodgers broadcasters were at Chavez and they lost the crowd noise of 40000+ in SD just a couple hours down the road for about five minutes. Very weird listen. So not a case of JR saving money, it’s nearly industry-wide across numerous sports for away games.

Rek? Is that a cool new term for cutting and slashing?

Sure, but we desperately need “proven” power...especially with the middle of the order struggling to drive the ball and seemingly pressing or just not physically right (Abreu).

Not sure the White Sox will have any Hall of Famers from this group, but the point still stands. Of the players on the current roster, Abreu, Keuchel and perhaps Hendriks if he can keep going for another 4-5 years are closest to at least getting votes. TA7 would be next over Grandal and Lynn.

2005 Astros started 15-31, etc.

And of course it’s almost impossible to calculate how many bases and runs are saved having an arm like Evans or Larry Walker did...because you’re looking at hypotheticals. Vaughn certainly has a much better than average arm for LF, but to what extent does that counteract all his other defensive deficiencies? I think most Sox fans would prefer Pierre, Pods or even deAza out there.

There’s a legitimate discussion to be had about the developmental benefits of playing Vaughn everyday vs. what gives us the highest likelihood of winning each day. There’s no clear right or wrong answer. One could certainly argue that with Abreu struggling mightily Andrew Vaughn will be even more important to the White Sox future, but at his natural position of 1B. Along with that, the fact he simply has to learn how to hit righthanders, as he’s not going to be platooned next season. (Of course, there’s another argument for holding onto Burger or Sheets, if Jimenez gets hurt yet again playing LF and Vaughn is still needed there...knock on wood.) This situation...with Vaughn, Kopech and Crochet all caught up in the development vs. win now debate on a daily basis has been with the White Sox for nearly two decades as mid tier payrolls have forced GM’s into these contradictory positions. We’re just quite fortunate the Twins collapsed, Indians tried to White Flag (minus dealing Ramirez and Bieber) and Mercedes raked the first month. And being in the AL Central, in general.