caulfield12

I’m going Lynn for Game 1, that’s pretty clearcut. For the purposes of this question, Kopech comes back and throws 5 innings, with 8 k’s and 2 earned runs in Game 59-60...so the hamstring is behind him, but not the pitch count/stamina concerns. Would like to go Rodon in Game 2 to break up righties. Giolito might be the better choice, but for some reason, relying on his Game 1 results against Oakland, clear leadership role, 2019-20 results/history, I’d rather have him as the stopper in Game 3 compared to the deer in the headlights possibility with Rodon if the Sox somehow were down 0-2. Just a big X factor how he would react. Of course, many are going to argue Kopech over Rodon or maybe even Giolito...but taxing the bullpen is a big risk, and we know the only way through that would be Kopech and then Heuer/Crochet/Bummer going 2-3 innings (but in 2020 forms for both lefties) to get the game to Liam. Someone wrote Cease was the 27th best starter in the majors as of today. Well, I still don’t trust him against a high quality opponent when it really counts...which is the same feeling many now have about Keuchel despite the Cy Young votes and past playoff history (before last October.) Cease is the first guy out of the pen with a blowout situation either way. Will be pretty shocked to see either Cease or Keuchel get votes over the more obvious top four candidates. No Ron, you can’t vote Cease 18 times with your burner accounts for “like/s” accumulation, lol.

Can we ban Ron if the Indians and White Sox are tied for first after Sunday?

That said, an extension is what makes it a clear win...since it makes this a must-win season with Rodon and Lynn likely on the way out, with only one obvious replacement in Kopech. That said, look at the bargains around baseball. Rodon. T.Walker (signed a two year deal). Desclafini. https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/11/mlb-free-agent-predictions-2021.html Amazing how many bad deals for pitching went down, and how the choices of Lynn and Rodon were almost perfect. Imo, the Giants and White Sox really excelled there in terms of best evaluations and/or a bit of luck or good fortune. These predictions (see above) had Springer and James Paxton going to the Sox, btw.

Sounds like a quote from the 80’s or 90’s about Doug Harvey...definitely not this decade. Harrelson must be getting a kick out of it, though, somewhere in NW Indiana.

Said in He-Man, Masters of the Universe voice for even more power...

https://www.mlb.com/news/liam-hendriks-lego-building-passion

Sounds so un-Jerrylike. This would be the definition of buying as high as possible on Lynn. Realistically, this could have been done before the season started...but it would have been closer to $16-22 million x 2 for those two additional seasons, arguably. Now we’re all the way up to $25 and counting. I guess it all depends on attendance/revenue projections for the remainder of this season and on out. Of course, the CBA negotiations hover over everything as well. Do get the feeling one of the major reasons he was so attractive in the first place was his relatively lower base salary in 2021, compared to his performance level in 2020. And, of course, the TLR connection going back to the 2011 World Series season.

Just move Madrigal to 2.

Who is? Monday Morning QBing after Trump ran roughshod over the government is fine, but you also have a responsibility to pick someone better suited, and not just due to age/prolonged tenure. Maybe there’s an argument to be made for turning over many positions, as we learned with trusting Alan Greenspan too long due to past perforance.

Two different eras, though. If he can consistently beat the good or better teams instead of just the cellar dwellers...well, we’ve got another 2/3rd’s of the season to see what direction he goes in.

Or sign EE, haha.

Cease is definitely closing in on question mark territory. If you swap him out for Kopech, maybe. Glasnow, Yarborough, Dick Mountain/Rich Hill, Fleming, McClanahan and Wacha has been quite effective, especially Glasnow/Hill.

Lamb’s first priority to play right now. It’s possible Yermin will go to the bench soon enough, or at least start platooning.

Really feels like the Rays are the main competition...but that everyday lineup isn’t much to write home about. Arozarena has a mid 700’s OPS. As usual, it’s mostly about the pitching, defense, fundamentals, baserunning, etc. If NY gets Severino and Voit back and going, along with Andujar heating up and jitting for power like three years ago, watch out. They’re also down Hicks. Feels like Boston has been lingering between 8-12 games over .500, led by Bogaerts and Devers...but still hasn’t faced the toughest part of their schedule as of yet.

Billy Hamilton impersonation...

We’re les than a week from Lamb or Sheets taking over DH from Mercedes...or the start of a platoon.

https://www.mlb.com/news/fernando-tatis-jr-has-help-on-17th-home-run

No Greg, not really.

Kelenic down to .110 average, 417 OPS.

Just climbed to 22nd in MLB homers...57 on the season, tied a single game high for this year.

Well, we're not last in the majors in HOMERS anymore these days.

Can just imagine the meltdown if the Tigers came back from this one...

Grandal took WAY too long to get rid of that throw...very lackadaisical for the last out of the game.

You get the salt-encrusted Bobby Jenks 2005 late season cap.

Is arguing balls and strikes an unwritten rule? Showing up the ump?