caulfield12

2005 and 2008 over the last two weeks were nerve-wracking in entirely different ways. Hopefully the Cubs' finale series can wake them up out of their stupor, assuming they go on to lose 3/4 against the Indians. That would mean suffering a 2-5 stretch and likely the division decided the final weekend. The Twins have Detroit (2 games) and then Cincy (3) to finish the season...so the much easier schedule, unless the Reds have every game this weekend as "sudden death," which could work in our favor with the Cubs already locked into the postseason.

We still have the biggest run differential in the AL by 16 over Oakland, 15 over the Twins/Yankees and 20 over the Rays. We desperately need Bummer back, and for something....anything, approaching a 800ish OPS for the remainder of the year (through the playoffs) from Moncada, Robert, EE, Mazara and Grandal. At least two of those guys are going to have to hit, because Abreu, Jimenez and Anderson can't carry the team forever. We also don't seem to have a 3rd starter at the moment that's a clear-cut choice, so that's yet another "up in the air" issue.

How sure are we that Bummer is actually coming back? 75%?

Well, I guess the White Sox offense was thumbing through SoxTalk posts, lol. But we STILL need Moncada/EE/Robert/Mazara to wake the F up.

Paging Greg Walker and Scott Fletcher...?

And would the White Sox PLEASE get some help for Hahn with free agency/trades that don't involved Q/Sale/Eaton? Because Grandal, EE, Mazara have all mightily disappointed, Gio's been about what we expected, but if it wasn't for Keuchel and McCann (who we probably could have resigned for 30-40% of what they ended up giving Grandal), this site would be a completely different place right now. Imagine if he'd picked Bumgarner, instead? I'm not even sure how close they were with him (preferring NL/West Coast, etc.), but that would have totally sucked. As it stands now, we're losing one of our best team leaders and Gio's safety blanket in the offseason.

Without Moncada, Robert and EE, this offense feels dead in the water. I'm just not sure Luis can pull out of this before retooling his approach in the offseason. Maybe? As DJ said, he's guessing/cheating, his left-shoulder has been flying open and he's pulling off the ball...they're killing him with sliders off the plate. He used to drive those pitches up the middle and to right field, or out of the ballpark entirely. It's just one game, don't like the comparisons with 2000 where we clinched early and just kind of coasted into the playoffs...plus, there's no clear 3rd starter (still) now between Cease and Dunning. Knowing Renteria, he'll go with Gio Gonzalez or Matt Foster.

What’s the latest on Burdi? Would be nice to get him turned around, but probably too late to be able to trust him this year. Like the aggressiveness. Pitching is such a crapshoot, shelf life is always an unknown, see Rodon, Carlos. Or just look back at that projected NYM 2014-15 pitching dynasty for another example.

https://www.mlb.com/news/luis-robert-awkward-slide-into-third-base

https://www.mlb.com/news/young-mvp-award-contenders-for-2020

Well, the bad news is he's only at 57 pitches through 5. That's not exactly indicative of a great approach by the Sox, and he still has only one less K than Giolito, who has thrown about 30 more pitches to get through five.

Luke Voit with HR's 15 and 16. Seems like the Yankees always have someone who comes out of nowhere....like Tauchman last year.

The crazy thing is that he was regularly playing LF for the Cuban team when they really started honing in on him...would like to know the name of the CFer the Cuban manager had chosen over him, but it was undoubtedly an "established veteran" type.

He's been at 95 or 96...so it's pretty clear he's throwing two different fastballs. So then it simply comes down to spin rate, location and short vs. long arm action/perception of how fast the ball is getting in on the hitter. Still can't get any consistency with that slider...just doesn't throw it enough for it to be more than an average or slightly below average pitch. It's the curve that really should be his 3rd weapon. CLE at MIN delayed. Can't do anything but help the White Sox, no matter what happens. Would prefer to see the Twins lose, though.

Robert back into one of his patented funks. He'll come out of it, but he can't give away so many at-bats if he wants to be an elite, impact hitter.

This prediction isn't going to age well.

Tigers youngest big league roster at 27 years, 25 days...Reyes, Jones, Castro and Candelario have flashed their talent this year, but they're still at least 2-3 hitters away.

If he's only at 92-93 MPH, he's Carson Fulmer...has he always thrown at that 3/4's arm slot? Another issue is Mize is trying to throw five different pitches at over 15% rate, that's a lot to not make mistakes with them. Three would be ideal, or four.

Sure, 15 MPH differential is huge, when most pitchers are at 8-12 if they're fortunate.

Robert just glides out there....so reminiscent of Devon White. Andruw Jones is another...but he just looks so much more graceful. Like you can tell he's controlling his speed at 85% unless he REALLY needs to go get a ball in the alley or back to the fence.

E-Sock instead of Isaac...? 43 pitches now, he's going to be lucky to get through 5 unless he has a couple of really quick innings, DP balls, etc. 17 straight scoreless innings at Guaranteed Rate for Giolito. Make that 18 thanks to our Gold Glover CFer.

YES YES YES. When he does it for five consecutive years, then we can talk. Glavine and Buehrle weren't bad, either.

That would be fine if we could be more confident in our overused 7th and 8th inning relievers...who we didn't add to at the trade deadline. Really counting on Cishek somehow straightening himself off and Marshall/Cordero/Detwiler not folding with Bummer out.

11 swings and misses already in the 2nd inning.

The only question is how many pitches Renteria lets him go to break his career high strikeout game at this point...