caulfield12

And let's NOT worry about...well, the fans are still going to be apathetic (Atlanta for 14 years) if we win TOO much because they always find something to complain about. As Thad Bosley always says (not the 35 years quote), it would be nice if we could finally get to the playoffs just TWO years in a row. Fwiw, this is really looking like a pretty solid opportunity to win the division two consecutive years. Detroit looks like toast, the Royals are really scuffling and have a HUGE decision on their hands whether to try to hold onto their core for the next two seasons OR jumpstart the rebuild by dealing most of their assets...and then, the Indians have that rotation but Kluber's stuff isn't what it used to be, they have had some injuries (Brantley, Carrasco), combined with non-performance (Gomes) and the fact that they can't go out and spend, spend, spend to fix problems. While they do have a much better farm system, they're still limited to mostly "value" signings like Rajai Davis, Uribe and Napoli (who has been pretty darned good for them). The team I was most concerned about (at the end of last year) rising up and becoming a major player is in complete disarray, the Minnesota Twins. Buxton, despite the scouts being in love with him, might struggle to be the next Cameron Maybin at this point, their pitching situation is a complete mess (the dangers of overspending on veteran FA's), they're stuck with Mauer (good this year again, but not elite) and putting Sano in the outfield to keep Plouffe has turned out to be a fiasco.

Well, you can't argue we manipulated the Tigers into overpaying for Upton, because we were never a bidder. If it helped to force Gordon's price up, great (but pretty sure that it wasn't the media manipulation at play there as much as a counteroffer). That said, we'll find out soon enough which teams in the ALCD have the additional resources to make changes/improvements in the next 2 1/2 months.

Greg, do you by any chance watch the tv show SHAMELESS? What's your opinion on the Gallaghers, compared to the people you grew up with? I think being too immersed in conservative Kansas/Johnson County-ism is getting to you...also, have you ever gone to a meeting of THE MAINSTREAM COALITION in KC?

Germany, although the immigration situation is vexing, they are at least willing to TRY to help... Norway/Finland/Sweden/Denmark Netherlands Slovenia Tunisia (after dictator was thrown out) Singapore Canada Vietnam/Indonesia Taiwan/HK/Macau India has a chance if they can get that democracy idea perfected and control corruption more effectively Austria Australia/New Zealand

QUOTE (miracleon35th @ May 11, 2016 -> 10:40 PM) No, trying to protect the runner from what actually happened - a strike out/throw out in case it was called a strike . I think he would have had a better look at the pitch if nothing was called and Abreu wasn't in motion. In any event I thought Sanchez should have been up there to sacrifice bunt to get the tying run to second with one out. That's usually the strategy in that situation. The time-tested play for the win on the road was mitigated by two factors: 1) Frazier's injury and Sanchez's lack of game condition hitting in recent days 2) The fact that much of the Rangers' bullpen was wiped out and we were better set up for a third night of "battle of the bullpens The only thing I can think of was that they didn't notice Abreu was noticeably hurting...because they left him out there in two situations in the late innings where he could have exacerbated the injury. DJ was specifically worried that Abreu would be forced to go for home on a single (from second base) and would struggle to do so. Maybe Robin thought putting him in motion would give him a better opportunity to get into 3B, but it was a strange decision at best to let Sanchez hit away and not use Rollins as a PR.

Erik Johnson and Carlos Sanchez packaged together can get ____________ back in return. Fill in the blank. And no, Gordon Beckham or a bag of balls aren't acceptable answers.

With the way balls and strikes have been called this series, he probably had in the back of his mind that it was better to swing at anything close rather than get a strike called and Abreu easily being gunned down...

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/176919454/pi...l-star-starters Adam Eaton leader of the quarter-post AL All-Star team and best MVP candidate at this juncture. Interesting that no other White Sox were named, indicative of how the Sox are getting contributions from many different places. Frazier has the homers and RBI's, but nobody's playing better than Machado (and Arenado in the NL). Abreu has only "decent" numbers for him but is getting outproduced by Big Papi and Victor Martinez. Melky Cabrera's also hitting quite well but still not really close to an All-Star. Then you have Lawrie and Avi Garcia outproducing what was expected but they will need to do it consistently for a year plus to get on the national baseball radar. Kudos to the Orioles for getting Mark Trumbo back on track, also. At 3B, with Beltre, Donaldson, Frazier, Castellanos and Moustakas, you've got an absolutely loaded position when hot corner talent had been trending down 2-3 years ago. Also, a shout-out to Marcus Semien, GreenSox will approve. And, since I'm covering a number of players, didn't realize than Daniel Hudson had a new life as an 8th inning lockdown artist in AZ and is the closer in waiting behind Ziegler at the moment. Thought he was out of baseball. And Trayce's new "shaved dome" look helped him blast a walk-off homer to beat the Mets in a key series. Something for the farm system to be take pride in, even if it's for another team (all good trades require both teams benefit.)

The interesting question is how much additional profit flowed to the Cubs and White Sox as a result of the Cubs' advertising rates going through the roof last season...? With the Cubs and Sox both in first place this year, how much more revenue is ComCast earning on those two properties compared to, let's say, 2014 or 2013? Likewise, how much did the Bulls have an atypical season affect their ratings and network profitability?

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 11, 2016 -> 06:47 PM) The distinction you are trying to draw between 5 and 6 is completely arbitrary, as is all of the rest of the post. That's why managers are paid to have a "feel" for the game...and game situations. And maybe it doesn't matter, perhaps the Royals, Tigers and Indians never even get to 5 games over .500 and the White Sox sail through the regular season. It WILL matter in the post-season. Up until these 2 games, it seemed Ventura was managing with a more pronounced sense of urgency, and that's always going to be a good thing when most managers are fairly conservative and traditionalist.

QUOTE (SCCWS @ May 11, 2016 -> 03:57 PM) Yes arbitrary. It is May and summer does not start until June 20th. So we all agree that after June 20th in Wrgley and Texas it is correct but not in May. Except in Tropicana Field where they don't turn the AC to high until June 20th and that causes the ball to carry more to right and right center. Yeah, this comment adds a lot. I WILL SPELL IT OUT SPECIFICALLY...ANY GAME IN TEXAS PAUSE PAUSE PAUSE BREAK BREAK BREAK and ANY GAME DURING THE SUMMERTIME AT WRIGLEY WHEN THE WIND IS BLOWING OUT. If you're a Chicagoan and don't know when the weather is conducive to 13-11 games in the summertime and you're strictly going by the calendar, I'm not sure how I can help you to understand. Apparently everyone else has a heckuva lot more faith in Carroll than I do. Ventura flat out made decisions that didn't put his team in the best position to win these last two games. Players WIN games...Frazier did it on Monday. But if you consistently make better decisions as a manager and put your players in the right place at the right time, then you will most likely have better results.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 11, 2016 -> 04:04 PM) Worth noting is that Ventura did say specifically that the pen was limited today. He didn't want to go to certain guys. How does that make sense when we have 2 scheduled off-days in the next 5 days and are likely to lose at least one game out of three in NYC due to the weather forecast? I guess we're playing for August/September...as Ventura learned in 2012 when that team completely wore down during the stretch run.

QUOTE (SCCWS @ May 11, 2016 -> 04:00 PM) I agree and Detroit and KC are in the same boat. We are going to run away w the Central by All Start break. How often has that happened in White Sox history? For 4 1/2 months in 2005 and then in 2000...just doesn't happen very often, especially with all the incredible parity in the American League over the last couple of seasons. Not sure about 1959, 1919, 1917, 1906, etc., since I wasn't alive then.

Especially at Wrigley, where they have those "centralized urinal islands" with just a 5 foot wall and you pretty much have to make eye contact or try not to with person across from you... Well, Greg has just given Subway a new idea for getting his business. All the Subway servers dressed in bikinis or with pasties like the baristas out in the Seattle/Portland area. Kind of like VietJet, where all the flight attendants are dressed in bikinis or sarongs. Better to go with the traditional sexual objectification of others than being threatened by those different from us or someone who makes us feel uncomfortable. Of course, Jared Fogle has nothing to do with the transgender issue and has done a lot more damage sexually to young boys than anything that will happen in all the Subways around the world the next half-century.

How many first-guessers/second guessers were already questioning having Jennings pitch to Desmond with a base open and a lefty (Mazara) following him? DJ was pretty shocked that they gave him anything to hit...especially on the inside part of the plate, which is where he ended up fighting off that pitch into LCF to tie the game. And then using Jennings against Beltre? Hmmmm...

Yeah, they were almost in the same situation with their pen for today as we were in yesterday. Didn't put much pressure on a relatively untested Dyson there by running into the automatic DP when Sanchez struck out...Jackson had a really good shot at Diekman with a 3-1 count and just couldn't do anything with two well-place up and away fastballs that he could have served into RCF. Seems like he was going too much for a homer with the 3-1 count instead of focusing more on just making solid contact. Oh, well.

Hayes and Coats aren't going to be getting regular at-bats, so it will be hard for them to maintain any type of offensive rhythm. We do need someone who can spell Abreu capably, though. He needed to be pinch-run for there in the 7th when he was obviously hurting...but apparently didn't tell anyone in the dugout or ask to be pulled. It's also not something I can ever remember the White Sox doing in competitive seasons. Bringing in untested rookies that weren't even Top 10-15 prospects and expecting them to deliver in crucial situations off the bench. Better off to bring back Shuck for Sands...and I'm not sure how Hayes is giving you much flexibility, other than the fact that he can probably play 1B better than Sands. Didn't Shuck also play 1B at least once last season?

Don't think we'll be approaching the Astros about any of their relievers, lol...unless they're just going to give Giles away instead of fixing whatever's wrong with him. Correa has a chance to drive in the winning run with 2 outs and runners on 1st and 2nd but flies to Chisenhall. Top of the 11th now.

Some very strange decision-making in both of these games by the coaching staff. And, with Latos' ERA ballooning by the start, Hahn better be on the market for at least one more serviceable veteran because you're not going to get through the rest of the season without any more problems between him, Rodon and Miguel Gonzalez.

QUOTE (soxforlife05 @ May 11, 2016 -> 03:25 PM) Robin just has a very poor feel for in game situations which is surprising considering how good he was as a player. Carroll in a 1 run game? Not bunting our weakest hitter in a 1 run game with a runner on first no out? Could have also pinch ran for Abreu there. I still don't understand how nobody on the coaching staff or bench noticed Abreu was hurting in the 7th...and then they still had him running on both occasions. And yeah, you have to get that tie run into scoring position any way possible. Carlos Sanchez is actually a pretty decent fastball hitter, but his timing is WAY off from not playing consistently in recent days. Typically, you play for the big inning or the lead (on the road), but you really have to adjust your strategy with Todd Frazier out of the game AND the fact that the Rangers were going to have to save the game with someone other than Sean Tolleson, their normal closer. Just getting the game extended was more of a priority than usual.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ May 11, 2016 -> 12:12 PM) So a the difference between 5 and 6 runs is the difference between using Carroll or someone else? How completely arbitrary. Against the Rangers, 5 doesn't feel out of the game to me. I bet any White Sox fan who has followed them or Harrelson for the past 30 years when they've been playing in Arlington would say the exact same thing and felt uncomfortable right away when Carroll allowed the first two runners to reach base. As I said, at Texas or Wrigley with the wind blowing out during the summer are two of the places I would make that same statement. So not arbitrary at all. And you have to look at the context, he was going right into the heart of the Rangers' line-up and their hottest hitters in Odor, Mazara and Beltre, compared to the bottom 3.

Some weird decisions today that were second or first-guessed by Darrin Jackson and Farmer. Pitching to Ian Desmond instead of walking him for the lefty/lefty match-up with the next hitter, Mazara. Letting Jennings pitch against Adrian Beltre, although that one wasn't as bad as pitching to a white-hot Desmond with a base open. Not noticing Jose Abreu was hurting and pulling him earlier in the game...he did manage to avoid the DP in the 7th by putting him in motion but you could tell something was wrong with him. Running Jose Abreu in the 9th when Carlos Sanchez hasn't been playing much and is facing a 95-97 fastball pitcher who is hard to make consistent contact with.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ May 11, 2016 -> 10:19 AM) Since when is a large lead a high leverage situation? His job was to not give up a billion runs and save the pen. Exactly what the last guy in the pen is supposed to do. WE've had less days off than every other team, and half the pen if not more was unavailable. 1) On the road in Texas, where no lead is ever safe...don't think I'd say that about any other stadium, maybe Wrigley when the wind's blowing out. 2) The best hitters on the Rangers were due up. 3) You had the feeling all game long, especially after Desmond's homer and then the Sox only scoring one and leaving the bases loaded (again) that it was really going to play like a 3 run lead. 4) He pitched himself into high leverage and needed to be pulled after the first or definitely the second batter reached. Mazara and Odor have simply been crushing the ball recently. You can't have a guy who crushes RHP from the left-hand side of the plate teeing off on Carroll. I think I said in the middle of that at-bat I wish he'd just give up a homer and cut the lead down to 2 because those situations have a way of continuing into huge innings as opposed to clearing the bases with a homer and having to start over. It's like the line-up keeps growing more and more confident as you keep the line moving and the pitcher can never relax with all those runners on base every time he looks around. If it was 6-7 runs, you don't worry. But 5 or under, well, anything can and will happen.

And I'm still trying to figure out what Austin Jackson did that was so egregious. It wasn't like Sands' play the night before. It might have been a slight misread and it almost felt like he wasn't tracking it....that it either carried a lot better than he expected to the deepest part of the park OR he drifted too much with it instead of sprinting across like that amazing basket catch over the weekend where he had a 96% route accuracy and was going at almost 20 MPH. Watching it on video a bunch of times, it just feels like he wasn't quite running all out and misjudged it a hair, but, once again, that ball was crushed by Desmond and certainly not close to an error. It's probably one that he catches 7 or 8 times out of 10, though.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ May 11, 2016 -> 10:11 AM) Hes actually been a very effective reliever in the majors believe it or not. But almost always in very low leverage situations. Other than as a starter, he hasn't often felt that type of pressure/environment as a reliever. He's not accustomed to it. You could just feel that at-bat with Mazara slipping away after the first two reached. That's why those DJ Carrasco-esque/Sean Lowe numbers are always a bit misleading. On paper, he and Jennings (another example) looked great last year, but they weren't often trusted in key situations to get the team an important victory (psychologically, for Rodon, in this case).