caulfield12

And Red Sox just walked it off. Christian Vasquez homer in 13th.

Can't believe I'm switching the channel to an actual competitive game when the Sox are in the postseason...

That was just a very typical Anderson play...and that's probably game, set and match. Kopech doesn't match up well against the Astros, either.

Or at least Drake LaRoche. "They have electric arms over there but still have to throw the ball across the plate." Story of the 2021 Sox bullpen.

Here we are again, asking pitchers to do something they haven't done...not surprised, though. Just disappointed.

Now they just look flat as driving through Nebraska or Kansas. Initial burst of energy has quickly dissipated.

Not convinced Kopech will hold them scoreless if he gets behind in counts, either.

And that was without MVP form Quentin down the stretch.

Of course, the Astros will go 1-2-3 after the crooked number knocking the crowd back in their seats the rest of the game...

Sounds like the typical message board comment after losing nearly every season to the Twins...especially in the Metrodome.

So much for the argument next season that Cease can be counted on in the playoffs. We better get at least one more starter to go along with Lopez and Lambert. Or Rodon comes back into the Sox price range due to missing so much time late with no structural issues, just general fatigue and soreness.

Apparently LaRussa thinks it's a good idea to push his luck.

You'd like to think Carlos Rodon in first half form could have given them a much better battle.

Where is RayRay now? So tired about hearing how Cease statistically was the #22 starter in baseball or whatever the argument was...

Once again, you can get away with this in the AL Central but not against a team like the Astros. They are taking advantage of every opportunity.

Better get Kopech in there soon. Can't give up this third run.

And this is the Cease we all worried about...despite all the talent in the world.

Didn't quite catch it cleanly.

What next? Giolito was surely robbed by LaRussa running him out there in the 5th...

And the Astros were pretty bad defensively last year...thought that was a gapper for sure off the bat.

Absolutely electric environment. Put this on permanent replay for everyone in the organization to reflect (again) on the value of HFA. Cease at 99-100…amped up so much, hope he can sustain this for at least 5 or possibly 6.

Seems he has been too relaxed and Ventura-esque, trying to prove he could be cool or tolerant in his old age. Just not a good fit…when he’s going against certain aspects of his nature as a manager. Say what you will about Ozzie and Cora, but they had their teams ready to play…at least until 2011. This team under Renteria and now LaRussa still hasn’t developed an identity…we have a lot of speed, but don’t use it, or are afraid of getting Moncada and Robert hurt. Bad defense. Inconsistent fundamentals, like runners from 3rd or simply holding runners on. Consistently throwing to the wrong bases or missing cutoff men. Lack of situational hitters who can make adjustments or hit against shifts instead of grounding right into DP’s. We have big personalities…especially TA, and quiet leaders like Abreu, but this team has never seemed cohesive ever since the first series of bullpen disasters in Anaheim. We do have the trademark inconsistent offense, albeit with more walks due to Grandal and Moncada this year. But if you stacks the two lineups up against each other, Robert and Grandal are perhaps the two positions the White Sox have a clear advantage at. And we’re just not getting enough from our aces to even things out…and nothing yet from Kopech or Rodon.

There’s something a little off about wanting to court or risk mental health issues. Cheering that on? Why? Boredom? Rubber necking when passing an accident site? You always want to err on the side of caution in these situations. Because you never know the real life consequences, and asking to be banned repeatedly is a flashing red warning sign. This is far from a self help or therapy site, it might be even be the diametrically-opposed opposite, based on numerous disagreements on Covid and politics over the years. I’m sure the mods can survive getting called out. Certainly, there are and always will be posters who take extreme positions or simply enjoy playing Devil’s Advocate or maybe even are courting attention for whatever reason, but it’s still a privately-controlled entity and free service and will probably always be managed that way. There won’t be an IPO or NFT’s of banner art. It seems Parkman has a need to participate in quite public boards, but he also has to consider the repercussions for his personal life, career and mental health. In some ways the site can be a comforting, familiar place…but it can also bring out one’s worst instincts as well if one chooses to take things too personally or feels attacked/ganged up on.

He at least fills a massive LH need in the lineup. If Seager’s getting $225+ million despite his injury history, the White Sox might as well give up. It means we get Story, Simmons or Baez, at best. And the dynamic of the lineup hardly changes at all. Might as well just play Burger there until he gets hurt again. Buying high on Semien is just another version of the Dunn deal waiting to happen…compounded by the fact he was originally brought up by the Sox.

What about TLR’s hire and this particular playoff series hasn’t played out exactly to the worst initial fears of most Sox fans? Of course, if that isn’t enough, we inevitably get Groundhog Day 2 next year as well.