caulfield12

Thought he couldn't play defense? KW must have gone with the 2020-21 scouting report from out in AZ.

Cubs' Collapse at roughly the same time...

They have just enough enough when Berti Bell and de la Cruz are going well because Chisholm and Reynolds can both carry a team when hot.

Comeback/Cardiac Kids these Marlins are...

But the original focus was his preexisting relationship and trust with Giolito. Same with Bannister around Kopech and Moncada in 2016.

Four more years of Robert. No guarantee that 2026 draft pick will be Top Ten because 2025 will be #4 and they just changed the rule so they would be #11-15 in 2026...assuming a bottom five team again next year.

Marlins self destructing ... two errors already. 3-0 Pirates through 4.

yet more damning comments about Sox not being present or prepared enough on a daily basis Michael Kopech “As a starter, it seems like you don’t have to be ready every day. You have to be ready every fifth day, but that’s something that’s not the case,” Kopech said. “You have work every day between starts. “You have work to do as far as studying hitters, being a professional and going about your work. And not that I didn’t do that, but I could have been more present each day. That’s what I hope to take into the offseason and into next season.”

looks like Bannister was brought on specifically to save the career of Kopech per Merkin, mlb.com CHICAGO -- Brian Bannister has a philosophy about the origins of putting together a solid pitching staff. Or it’s more of a recipe presented by the new White Sox senior advisor to pitching. “You have ingredients in the organization when you get there,” said Bannister, who spoke to the media before a 3-1 White Sox victory over the D-backs on Thursday afternoon at Guaranteed Rate Field. “It’s the Drafts that have occurred in previous years, it’s the players that are in the system, it’s the expertise of the staff and what they’re comfortable teaching. “But ultimately, you’re looking to bake the best cakes possible. These are the ingredients you have, so bake the best cakes.” In terms of the ‘24 White Sox starting rotation, Bannister is looking at just two certainties among his ingredients. Dylan Cease, who enters his final ‘23 start Friday with 207 strikeouts, followed by Michael Kopech, whose ‘23 season ended via surgery on Sept. 22 to remove a cyst from his right knee. That procedure capped off a rough second half for Kopech, when he posted an 8.10 ERA over 14 games and 11 starts. Bannister has a history with the right-hander from their days in the Red Sox organization, before Kopech was part of the Chris Sale trade starting the White Sox rebuild. Bannister served as director of pitching analysis and development and eventually transitioned to the Red Sox coaching staff as the assistant pitching coach in the middle of the 2016 season. Bannister believes Kopech can be elevated to top starting form. And Kopech looks forward to Bannister’s assistance, supplementing the work he’s done to date. “I’ve liked Banny since I met him,” Kopech said. “He’s been nothing but good to me as a professional. He can offer a lot with the experience he’s had being with the Sox and Giants. I’m excited to have him on, excited to get to know him more on a personal level. [And] see where that can take my career and, hopefully, take this team.” “My sweet spot has always been helping pitchers who are either coming off a down year or have lost their identity a little bit, and really getting in there and building trust with them and helping them identify what makes them a productive Major League pitcher and just walking alongside them in that process,” said Bannister, who already has had conversations with Kopech. “I’m a big believer in him.”

https://www.mlb.com/news/shohei-ohtani-has-most-popular-mlb-jersey-in-2023 When will the White Sox jersey get Luis Robert into the Top Ten? Might not be this lifetime...

And Travis Kelce/Swift

Second major faux pas in one series.

Pretty sure Marlins lead majors in comeback wins...over 40 on the year.

Bellinger you couldn’t trade with how he was carrying the team. Stroman is questionable…value was depressed from first two or so months when he looked extension-worthy.

Kyle Lewis isn't even on the Mariners anymore. Yikes.

If Stroman gets rocked tmrw...Cubs fans will be even more irate about holding onto Bellinger/Stroman. Although Marcus' value was way down, the odds of holding onto him at that point (or the desire on the part of the Cubs' FO) weren't looking all that promising. Still, nothing like the Ohtani situation or Padres holding onto both Snell and Hader.

Marcus Stroman vs. TBA tmrw for the Braves (make or break time) Luzardo vs. D. Peterson in NY

Baty/Vientos/Ortega up... It's going to take a miracle for this Miami pen to survive the next four games.

Oh, haven't been following that closely because we have classes this morning. Didn't realize what happened. De la Cruz picked him up. 4-2 Marlins have the tie-breaker over the Cubs with the 4-2 head to head record. Shades of 2020 again.

Burger has yet another chance to be a hero. Bases loaded, no outs, tie game. Gurriel pinch hit for him, AIYO....also a RH hitter who has been in a huge slump the last 4-6 weeks. FC/Error on Baty....3-2 Marlins, bases still loaded.

Cubs lose again in demoralizing fashion. Mets and Marlins tied 2-2 late....1st and 3rd, no outs for Miami Top 9. Cueto started and gave a much better performance than his ERA would have indicated. Now 2nd and 3rd. Bell/Burger/Chisholm up.

We can go back to 2016 and NOT trade Tatis for Shields again... Sox fans are missing entire decades of competitive baseball the time's flying by so quickly. Wouldn't expect a truly competitive team until at least 2026-27.

https://www.mlb.com/news/josh-barfield-join-white-sox-staff-from-d-backs “Part of [Getz’s] vision was bringing in the people from other places where things have gone pretty well,” Barfield said. “Between me and Gene Watson and Bannister, a lot of this first week has been kind of downloading ideas and things we have seen, things that have worked, things that maybe haven’t worked and also getting to know how things are done here. I like the collection of ideas we have so far.” “Watching these guys play [for Arizona], from our dugout over there, those guys were developed right. I’m glad he’s on our side,” said White Sox manager Pedro Grifol of Barfield. “Smart, articulate, well spoken, you can go on and on and on. I’m happy he’s on our team. I think Chris has done a really good job assembling a nice group around him that’s going to bring some different ideas.” Balta's going to have a field day with this one...

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2023/09/26/marlins-mets-game-postponed-due-to-unplayable-field-conditions-caused-by-tropical-storm/70975940007/ Mets left tarp off the field over the weekend. Yankees managed to play on Monday in the midst of a so called tropical storm due to their grounds crew. Could save the Cubs. Arraez out too.

DH today is going to kill the Marlins' pitching staff down the stretch. Going to have to hope for a split and Cubs' loss for a time with three to go. Already down 2-0 on an Alonso bomb.