SCCWS

But looking at Cease's stats K/BB, HR allowed, hits allowed, ERA, I would rank him equal or slightly better overall than Fleming-McClanhan-Wacha

As our starters continue to shine, I think we have the best starting rotation in the AL. Looking at our 5 starters, I don't think any team has the quality we have from 1-5. We may not have a Cy Young guy at the top right now, but there is really no weakness in any starters. It is still early, but If we were going into the playoffs tomorrow, it would be hard to list 1-5. Maybe Gio and Lance are 1/2 but the other 3 are very close behind. Whoever we feel is our 5 would be a 3 type on most teams.

I think many agents have a lot of sway. If the Sox are very competitive, I can see Rodon giving a hometown discount. But with his injury history, I am sure the agent will be advising him that he needs to get all the security he can in length and money on the next contract. Good for Carlos that he may get the chance to somewhat secure his future with a good deal if he can stay healthy this season.

I think Kopech is somewhat a prospect in his present role since most of us see him in the rotation for the future. I would not trade him because he very well could be our #1 starter very soon.

When they retire Jose's number some day, Ron will be on his roof burning his uni in effigy

Can't blame LTR for the #2 spot. In fairness, the lack of production out of the #2 spot is because Moncada dropped down to 3 after Robert went out. The options are limited because of the absence of Eloy and Robert and the fault of FO not adding better alternatives.

Yankees won 6 straight after sweeping the Sox. Then they proceeded to lose 4 of 5 to Jays and Tigers. It will be a long season.

This team is rolling along. Starters right now are killing it.

Ray: Besides the name, did they also put up a plaque commemorating the lady and her 60 years? .I doubt it since the family complained they didn't get the sign back. Maybe some marketing geek got a brilliant idea to rename the section since he/she had no clue who the lady was. The family should be insulted with all the time she and her daughter put in w this organization.

Two solid pitching performances has reversed the Sox mini slide against the Yankees.

Great job by Lynn. He has been our #1 starter so far this year.

Or the Yankee were the better team coming into the series. Remember the Yankees had won 5 straight. Also Gio pitched a 2 hitter against the Twins two nights after TLR's bungle so obviously Gio was not affected. But your point was Hahn/Williams going to JR to get TLR fired. I don't think that will happen until the team collapses. Even then JR may hesitate.

They won't even try. Unfortunately JR can look at the standings and see TLR "has" the team with one of the best records in baseball. There is no way in hell he is going to fire his "friend" while the team is winning. Now if they are struggling to make the playoffs come late summer, then maybe Hahn/Williams can approach the altar

I don't think Schaumburg production means a whole lot. But I also think making decisions on a rookie after 109 MLB at bats also doesn't make sense.

FWIW--I saw an article on him that said he is playing 3rd in AAA but most likely the injuries will relegate him to DH/IB down the road.

I actually think Burger has little trade value until he puts in a year at AAA to show he has bounced back.

I see Boston a lot and I think their starting pitching is mediocre. They have a great closer and average pen. I think our combined pitching staff is better than Boston's.

With all the distractions, Rodon struck out 13 Yankees in 6 innings last night. I guess he didn't get the memo

With all the games against the AL Central, we will be fine.

Putting aside TLR's use of the bullpen. I was wondering if managers are changing their thinking w closers. Some teams use their closer in the 9th in a tie game and others wait until a close opportunity arises. In some situations, the batting order may come into play as a manager may use the closer in top of 9th in a tie game if the meat of the order is due up. But I wonder if the 10th inning w a runner at 2nd will start to change how a closer is used. Foe example, a manager that likes to use his closer in a tie game in the 9th ( home or away} may think it is better using him in the 10th ( if the game goes that far) since there is more pressure in the 10th w the runner on 2nd.

Heuer has pitched 6 innings in May and given up 12 hits and 6 earned runs. I think you can flip a coin between him and Marshall.

Both teams played to lose in that exchange of not scoring

Score now so we don't have to get into that runner on 2nd in 10th.

Grueling means "extremely tiring and demanding. It does not have to be just physical activity. It can also be mental activity as well. We have seen hospital staff experience it in all different levels of positions this year including clerical workers.

In the last 7 days, Leury has more hits than Collins-Vaughn-Mendick combined.