Chicago White Sox

Also, got to love that the giant turned out to be Wun Wun.

Easily one of the best episodes in the series and a game changer when it comes to the White Walkers. They've always been the real threat, but until now we didn't really know how serious of threat they are. The Tyrion/Dany stuff was also great. Lots of foreshadowing in the episode. I found Tyrion's comments on Varys particuly interesting ("he's the only person I can trust"). The show has done a good job convincing viewers that Varys is actually good, but book readers obviously have seen a much grayer version of the character. IMO, it's all but certain Varys is not a Dany supporter after watching that scene. Also, did anyone catch that Doran scene in the preview for next week? He's telling someone to pledge allegiance or die. The question is if it's Jaime or Bronn. If Jaime, seems like they could be setting him for a Jon Connington type role. If Bronn, he may be filling a Dark Star type role, although it seems late in the season for that. Will be interesting to see how this Dorne plot plays out.

Didn't realize we were playing in Wrigley.

QUOTE (bmags @ May 31, 2015 -> 01:42 PM) http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/pros...13/2614702.html Interesting article to review. Will follow Otano this year, yeah 3 ks first game. This is Otano's third go around in the DSL and the first two were pretty terrible. I would keep my expectations low with him despite his toolset.

QUOTE (onedude @ May 30, 2015 -> 02:51 AM) Ive been thinking the same. I'm thinking Dorne support for Dany/Viserys has switched with Varys/Ilyrio support for Aegon. Doran is show supporter of Aegon and Varys is show supporter of Dany. I think this makes even more sense with Arianne actually travelling to meet with the supposed Aegon landing near storms end Honestly, I think we're going to see Varys in Dorne in the next three episodes. There was a story a while back about a certain actor being on set when they filmed the upcoming Jaime/Doran scene and people were told to keep it a secret. I can't think of another character that would make any sense in that capacity. And if Varys was really supporting Dany, wouldn't he have been able to beat Tyrion to Mereen given their setbacks? I really don't see an alternative for the Dorne storyline. There has to be some payoff and cutting Aegon entirely doesn't make any sense IMO.

While I know it's not just offense, the Sox have six regulars and two bench players with negative WAR. And pretty much everyone else but Avi & Beckham is underperforming as well. What we're seeing is unsustainable and eventually these guys will regress to the mean. The question is how much that mean has dropped this year, as guys like Alexei & Flowers may not be able to replicate their prior numbers. Regardless, I've never seen the entire lineup underperform like this in my time as a Sox fan.

Nice work Jennings!

I think Wieters is a free agent. I know he's a Boras guy, but I think you got to make a run at him if you're Hahn. Otherwise, you are looking at the trade market to fix the catcher spot and there isn't much there.

Well that was pathetic, I've officially lost all optimism for today...

Feel good about this inning, think we'll get at least one here.

QUOTE (raBBit @ May 30, 2015 -> 04:41 PM) Obviously Swirskey offers nothing as far as baseball analysis, but he's a pro as an announcer. He's brining the best out of Stone. Eaton has no shot against Keuchel. Get a walk please! Stone has been much more enjoyable to listen to with Swirskey than with Hawk.

QUOTE (Buehrle>Wood @ May 29, 2015 -> 11:13 PM) If Soto doesn't start tomorrow I riot. Get him back on the roids Agree, dude should be starting 3 of every 5 games until we find a better option.

Real question, but did Balta actually say Soto was a worse hitter than Flowers in this thread?

Flowers needs to go. I know a bunch of guys on this team are under-performing right now, but Flowers simply sucks. As crazy as it sounds, give Kotteras a look. He probably won't be the solution, but I doubt he can be any worse.

Glad we gave Flowers that second at-bat!!

Unfortunately we took Putnam out a batter too late. Hate bringing in another reliever with a runner on 2nd with one out.

QUOTE (fathom @ May 29, 2015 -> 10:35 PM) I liked the call...you don't play for the next inning in that situation. A steal and a flare is easily your best chance of scoring in that situation. Typically, you think a speedy guy will be successful against a righty power reliever. Anyone except Flowers sure. Chance of him getting a hit is low, and quite frankly I'll take my chances on him hitting a HR or fighting through the bottom of the 10th than Shuck successfully stealing a base AND Flowers getting a base hit or risk starting the 11th with him at-bat.

f*** you Robin. Stealing with Flowers at bat with two outs is one of the dumbest decions I have ever seen. You just literally gave one of the worst hitters in baseball two at-bats if you're lucky. What a stupid f***ing move...ugh.

Alright boys, no time to f*** around, let's get one here and close them out in the bottom half of the inning.

f*** yes!!

Looks safe IMO, but got to hope that there is not enough evidence to overturn.

Awesome news about Euron & Tarley. Not sure if the maesters subplot will be included, but clearly Oldtown & the Reach will be a major plot point next season and this all but confirms that Sam will be heading there soon. My guess is he goes to Horn Hill to drop off Gilly and then gets caught in the middle of Euron's invasion of Oldtown. Also, this makes me think Loras will survive his trial and be involved in this storyline, filling the role of his brothers in Winds of Winter. On an unrelated note, I'm convinced that Trystane is Aegon. The Dorne storyline has been pointless up until now, and Doran has barely been used this season. Given he only has one child who happens to be a boy, his marriage pact plan with the Targaryens doesn't seem possible IMO. There has to be a payoff to this storyline and I think that will be a big "Trystane = Aegon" reveal. The fact we haven't seen or heard about Varys for a while makes me believe he'll make a late-season cameo and announce his true intentions. Not sure if that will be in Dorne with Doran or in King's Landing with Kevin and/or Pycelle, but I doubt we've seen the last Varys and I'm certain it won't be with Dany.

QUOTE (raBBit @ May 27, 2015 -> 03:41 PM) Since I went on a crusade against the Samardzija-hating meatballs and said he would be fine. 3 GS, 23IP, 19/5 SO/BB, 19H, 1.96 ERA, 1.04 WHIP. I've said it all season, but Hahn needs to sign this dude to an extension. Build your team around a rotation of Sale, Shark, Quintana, & Rodon and you should be able to be legitimate contenders each year with even an average offense. This year might be a lost cause, but I honestly think we can fill the black holes at 3B & C this coming offseason if we're willing to move some of our prospects. Obviously this all assumes guys like Melky, Eaton, etc. return close to their previous form.

QUOTE (Soxfest @ May 26, 2015 -> 09:24 PM) I dislike the 4 out save. I don't the 4 out save had anything to do with it, Robertson just didn't have it tonight.

QUOTE (winninguglyin83 @ May 26, 2015 -> 09:24 PM) a few of those every season. Just wasn't a good time for it. Yup, went from what could have been a big confidence booster to an absolute crushing defeat.