Flash Tizzle

All points you listed are valid. Although many are worried about our dwindling lead in this division, suggesting they're done will only lead people to immediately discredit your opinion. Some can't accept the possibility this team may be a part of the largest regular season choke in MLB history. Or even that this team's offense is poorly assembled and would be lucky to escape the 1st round of the playoffs. Pitching can only bring us so far.

Good pitching still defeats good hitting, right? Just wan't to be sure of that old addage. Maybe it should be good pitching defeats mediocre hitting, but struggles against good hitting. This inconsistency displayed recently by our pitching is troubling. Can't afford for Garcia, Garland, Buehlre to throw three terrible starts in a row EVER. Lord knows the one f***ing day the offense scores six runs within the last two weeks is the one game the pitching decides to collapse. Game II should be great. Minor league pitcher making his debut against our corpseball ridden offense. You wonder how many callups can record victories against our club between wins for our minor league pitchers. Who was the last, Diaz last summer? That's pathetic and embarrassing.

QUOTE(The Ginger Kid @ Aug 30, 2005 -> 03:52 PM) Garland either can't or won't challenge this line up. He looks scared for some reason. Probably the look of someone who realizes what's at stake if he loses. Guess this is what happens when our top-of-the-rotation pitchers face quality hitting, patient teams down the stretch. Although all of this should be moot because I thought good pitching defeats good hitting. That was always the excuse last year to explain our troubles, right?

I want a general feeling of who exactly will be criticized if the Sox collapse or are shut out the first round of the playoffs because of their offensive futility. And please, no little league philosophy of failing to assess blame. I've heard all the same arguments about our lack of midseason moves-- the overzealous sellers demanded too much. Other teams didn't make trades either. It shouldn't matter. I heard similar arguments last (04) season when Williams failed to make important roster upgrades. Either the price was too high for free agents, teams were asking too much in trades, or--my favorite-- the rest of the American League Central didn't make any moves! Point is, the offensive troubles of this team were known far before our recent troubles. Williams failed to address them. It's that simple. He failed. No excuses--it's his f***ing job. Trade every pitching prospect for all I care. Most likely they'll never pan out. Either Sweeney/Young/Anderson were expendable--our outfield will be logjammed for many years. Because I have to attend class I can't elobarate futher. I'm sure I've ruffled the feathers of Williams die-hard fans and will have to defend my position later. Just know, when this season over and we haven't reached the ALCS, Williams will be justly ridiculed for neglecting our offense.

QUOTE(fathom @ Aug 30, 2005 -> 01:15 PM) Good post. That even makes a pessimist like myself confident. Doesn't work for me. Averaging two losses a week can be erased with one losing streak. Pitching can't score runs for our offense, which is more than capable of several three game losing streaks between now and October. Remember there still remains head to head matchup with Cleveland.

The lack of blind optimism in this thread tells me some have finally come to the realization this team is no longer guaranteed to make the playoffs. While most (including myself) believe it's remains a high probability, there exists more doubt now then ever. Braves made up 10 games in the NL Eeast standings in July. It's more than possible to lose 7 more after we've already lost 8. Today's two games are HUGE. There's no other way around it. I'll be very upset for anything less than a split. We lose both today, and Indians win, choke talk will officially begin. It will no longer be a column left for the Tribune or a half page feature in the Sun-Times. We're talking about national exposure to our shrinking division lead. Then we'll see how the team handles itself. Anyone can suggest the difference in the loss column, or how the Indians are due to cool off--but I have to believe if this division lead falls to 5.5 games entering September we're in trouble.

QUOTE(FlaSoxxJim @ Aug 30, 2005 -> 09:17 AM) The thing that makes me doubt it actually was sign-stealing that got Mark into trouble (even if I'm not up in arms about his comments) is simply that it was Mark. As fast as he sets up and pitches, how realistic is is that someone with binoculars or a telescope behind CF is going to catch signs from AJ, get that relayed into a visible tipoff with some secret stadium light code, and have the guy at the plate see the light signal to be ready for the coming pitch? Not very, I'd suspect. I suggested this before--believe it was a year ago--when this board discussed possible signals tipping hitters at USCF. There's just so little time between the pitcher receiving a call and throwing a pitch for a hitter to notice a light code. Even if it were possible, against Buehlre of all pitchers, wouldn't there have to be a noticeably bright light omitted from CF for the hitter to see it? Since moving their heads or darting their eyes would have been too obvious, it would have to be something you could see in the corner of your vision. And what happens if a player from Texas is traded? Or becomes a FA for a rival AL West team and faces the Rangers 18/19 times a season? What's to stop this person from doing what Jose Guillen did and rat out the cheating methods of a former player/team? Too much to risk.

Props for Bajenaru. Filthy breaking ball.

Jeff Bajenaru has relieved Buehlre. I know some of you are praying for a 123 inning. Anything less and I'LL RAISE HELL.

This is an example of what happens when our pitching wets itself. The team simply cannot afford to be down early in a game because it's improbable they'll outslug teams. If you can't comeback against Texas pitching, well, that's just indicative of the offensive midset your team has when its behind. Everyone begins pressing.

QUOTE(fathom @ Aug 29, 2005 -> 07:57 PM) Is Buehrle going to rack up 120 pitches tonight because of our terrific manager? Guillen better not. Put in Bajenaru and let him pitch an inning.

In Japan, Iguchi would have been tied up and whipped in front of a public square for this disgraceful defensive performance. Guillen needs to save face and take out Iguchi before his embarrasses himself further.

QUOTE(jphat007 @ Aug 29, 2005 -> 06:33 PM) I was talking about Burly. Not Bmac. Sorry about that. I was quick on the trigger to put McCarthy lovers in their place.

QUOTE(jphat007 @ Aug 29, 2005 -> 06:26 PM) Any reason for that thought? Just cause BUerhle gave up 2 in the first? Yeah, his fastball is straight and barely exceeds 92 mph. While McCarthy's curveball bites well, his changeup is nonexistent. Sit on the fastball, as Texas did his last outting, and this game is over quickly. Can't live in this league as a two pitch pitcher unless both pitchers are above average. Hopefully his reformed pitching angle--which has payed dividends at AAA- works well tomorrow.

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Aug 29, 2005 -> 06:23 PM) Texas does seem to match up very well against us. Them and (dare I say it) Oakland. Buehlre has pitched well against Texas in his career. No excuse for these weak changeups Buehlre is floating up there. Anytime he wants to pitch like an ace is fine by me. He should shut them down from this point on. I don't care how formidable their lineup is--good pitching beats good hitting.

QUOTE(Kalapse @ Aug 29, 2005 -> 02:29 PM) 8.1 IP. very short time. Regardless, I was not impressed with his overall "stuff" last year. Bajenaru appeared to be another soft tossing relief pitcher our organization has become fixated on developing. Compare this to MInnesota, who seem to be overrun with quality, hard throwing relief pitchers. Isn't there a stud left-handed pitcher on their AAA team ready to be promoted in September? Nothing changes over there. I understand velocity doesn't exactly equate to success--he must either have a deceptive motion, good command (though I recall reading his BB numbers were rather high), several quality pitches he failed to use last year, or perhaps Baj is a career AAA pitcher. He may be a stand up guy, and I wish him all the best, but relating to our minor league callups I have a simple philosophy--everyone is a bust until proven otherwise. Bajenaru didn't impress me last year. This organization has given me no reason to establish confidence in callups.

QUOTE(Yoda @ Aug 28, 2005 -> 06:36 PM) The Cave and Undiscovered saw disappointing results in their openings as moviegoers chose to catch up on holdover titles during the dog days of summer. Labeling "Undiscovered" a disappointment is an undetstatement. This movie grossed nearly $700,000--averaging out to $530 per theater. "Gigli," in comparison, averaged $2,000 per theater and was considered a monumental flop/disaster film. We may be witnessing another Gigli-esque sweep at the Razzies.

QUOTE(Steff @ Aug 29, 2005 -> 08:06 AM) But I've heard several times from last night and this morning that this storm has the potential to wipe NO off the map. Since New Orleans is built below sea level, and relies on man-made levies and canals to funnel out water, it's inevitable the city will experience a huge flooding disaster. I read in the paper this morning besides toxic sewage and industrial products coffins could be additional debris. Most are above ground for the reason of flooding, but if the water swells above 20 ft it won't matter too much.

50% Czechoslovakian 50% Irish It's odd when you reflect on the meshing of ethnicities--and realize it will only intensify in future generations. You'll have to carefully search for someone with roots stemming from one nation. Just look at most of the people replying in this thread--it's 50/50. This will then become 25/25/25/25, and so forth until we're all muts. I understand this process is showcasing America's "melting pot" image, but certain people take pride in their ancestry. I wish I could have pride in my Czech ancestry, but I couldn't tell you four things about the Czech Republic outside of World War II. When my father began dating my mother 30 years ago, my traditionalist grandparents were upset the Eastern European heritage was diluted. They would have a heart attack today. CZECH'S DATING ITALIANS! UNHEARD OF!

Timo has a knack of ruining his own good fortune. He'll give you several timely hits sandwiched between terrible AB's. Against Hernandez, with 1 out, you can't run yourself out of an inning. This may be the last time we have this opportunity for several (probably 5 or 6) innings.

I'm predicting a victory for our club against Hernandez. Knowing how odd baseball operates--our pathetic offense will probably hit one of the most highly touted prospects in the last several decades. Then, appropriately enough, we'll be shut down with the same lineup against Gill Meche, Pineiro, or whichever jobber starting pitcher Seattle lines up after tonight.

Wait, what the hell happened? Chat room NOW.

QUOTE(CYGarland @ Aug 25, 2005 -> 01:22 PM) f***!! He walks him What a damn idiot. Seriously, he could have thrown all fastballs down the middle and I still wouldn't have expected much from Morneau.

QUOTE(Dick Allen @ Aug 25, 2005 -> 01:17 PM) I'm pretty sure Ozzie will leave Marte in for Mauer and Morneau, then go to Hermanson to try to get LeCroy. Its probably going to be a nerve-racking bottom of the ninth. Marte should be left in to face these two. Mauer hit Marte yesterday, but it was a single. I doubt either make great contact off Marte if he's pitching with balls. But, as we know, nothing is ever simple with this club against Minnesota.

QUOTE(LosMediasBlancas @ Aug 25, 2005 -> 01:06 PM) If we see Jizzcan or Damn Ass Hole Marte, we're probably f***ed. I'd only accept Marte against Morneau or Mauer. Besides these two, he shouldn't be in there. Jizzcan shouldn't even be considered an option unless one of the Minnesota batters has terrible career numbers against him. BTW, for anyone watching the game, are Hawk/DJ preparing the viewers for any potential meltdown from the pitching? DJ is good for this.