tray

Dunning had pinpoint control. His fastball had movement and his slider had bite to it. I think he is going to be a lock as a 4th starter but at the same time, I realize that Pittsburgh's line-up is weak and that the Pirates are pretty much going through the paces instead of really bearing down in every at=bat to win. I wonder how Dunning will fare against Josh Donaldson, Nelson Cruz, Sano and the Twins in the upcoming series with them. We shall soon see.

Oh yea, McCann won't be on the Sox next year. Like it or not, You heard it here . (sarcasm)

Grandyman apparently didn't get invited to Bozo's Grand Prize game.

No question about that.

Fans like to fall in love (figuratively) with prospects but after they actually see them at the major league level, they are often disappointed. Speculation often leads to disappointment. Burgur, Fulmer, Courtney Hawkins, Gordon Beckham.. They are all sure things until they aren't.

Vaughn doesn't catch.

Vaughn is a super prospect, end of story. He has not proven that he can play any position at a major league level. He is a tank.

This team is in the heart of a competitive window. It is my opinion that there would be a lot more catching gaffes like last night if you run out Grandai to catch about 120 games and Collins ( a potential defensive liability) to catch 40. It is not that easy to replace proven major league talent like McCann. Prospects like Burgur and Vaughn are just that...prospects. You can speculate all day about them and pencil their names into future lineups. but that doesn't always work out.

Vaughn is a tank. He has not yet proven that he can play any position at the major league level , including first base. He needs at least a full season in the minors.

The Sox might be better off without a full time DH on the roster if they can utilize position players like Grandal, Eloy,Abreu and others to fill that role. If Vaughn absolutely rakes in the minors next year against LH and RH pitching, and does the same when he comes up to the majors, that is another story.

This is called a false choice.

A few positives from the loss: Madrigal's two doubles, especially the one to left center were hit hard. It is clear that Madrigal is going to add a lot to this line-up . Cease looked good for the first 4 innings. Abreu extended his hitting streak. Moncada appeared to have a little bit more strength and ran a bit better. McCann is now in a little bit better position with the WSox to negotiate a 3 year deal.

The Sox may have to do the unthinkable ....bring ReyLo back up for another start or two...especially if Keuchel's back has to be rested. Cishek is not an option in any important game where the Sox need a hold in late innings. Our bullpen is going to be pitching on on fumes by the time the play-offs start. What a waste of a year when we finally have a line-up that crushes the baseball.

Bummer is throwing but no word yet how the nerve issue in his biceps is responding. There are reports that Rodon has new injury issues. Keuchel has back issues that flair up from time to time. The WSox have lost confidence in ReyLo and he has lost confidence in himself. No Crochet this year I guess. There just aren't enough horses in the pitching stable to make a long run into the play-offs. After constructing a killer line-up the Sox could get checkmated in the playoffs if the pitching staff continues to get depleted. And what if Giolito or Keuchel lose a play-off game? That would pretty much make the odds of winning a playoff series almost insurmountable.

Mazara and EE are starting to hit. Now if Moncada starts feeling better and returns to his pre-covid form, this line-up will be a juggernaut.

We need another 5 runs to put this one away.

We'll never know for sure, but I feel that Kopech could have made a huge difference in helping this team get over the top.

The Cubs are in First Place but it seems like there is more buzz around the Chicago area about Robert, Eloy and the White Sox. Reinsdorf should be given great credit for signing Abreu to an extension when some people questioned that move. Abreu has not only played like an MVP, but he helped to recruit Robert and showed Moncada, Eloy and Robert how to conduct themselves on and off the field. The guy is a leader and so is TA. This team doesn't have selfish players, nut jobs, showboats and @holes on it. On the contrary the White Sox are one of the more likeable teams we have had on the South side since our 2005 WS team. Like the advertisement states - Good guys wear black.

I am still watching the game live...

I know Kopech probably should be a starter but if he could throw 100+ mph and be a lock down Closer that wold be huge as well. So neither, he is watching this on TV.

That and there is no one else in the pen that can get these guys out.

Maybe Moncada is experiencing post covid symptoms. I take his word for it.

Indeed it was, but I still wanna see the 500 foot blast we've been waiting for . Madrigal is proving to be who we thought he was. Gotta love that!

ReyLo watching the game from Schaumburg wondering why he couldn't have started against these guys instead of the Twins. Dunning is throwing it up there and the Royals are getting themselves out.

Dunning has nothing but this isn't the Twins, so he should be able to last 4 or 5.