tray

You have to establish the run game. Then you can put together drives that eat up the time that the other offense (Rodgers) spends on the field carving us up.

That was my thought was well. Low slow change-ups are made for the high leg-kick upper-cut softball swingers. I think the low slow change-up pitch might fall out of favor with some pitchers who see too many of them get recognized early and wailed on. The one exception I see is that high "parachute" change-up that Gio has. I think that one still surprises a lot of hitters and it is harder for them to load up on their back foot to lean on it.

If Moncada tagged up at second Abreu would have probably tagged up at third. However, Moncada didn't tag up at second probably because he would have been the tying run and wanted to try to score if the ball was dropped. A few cheap shots at these players so I am glad to be among those who defend them.

Watch the replay and look at where Moncada is at the 57 second mark: https://www.mlb.com/video/must-c-mercado-s-crucial-catch

I think I understand why Abreu got a lead off third instead of tagging as he would have on a fly ball. First, his run meant nothing. Yes. Moncada advancing to third behind him would have been t significant BUT Moncada didn't tag if you look at the replay Moncada not only did not tag, but he almost made it to third base and had to scoot back to not be doubled up. Abreu saw Moncada coming hard to third and that may have caused Abreu to take a lead off third rather than tagging up. Fan hindsight is 20/20 but I can see a lot of players doing what Abreu and Moncada did in that situation. These things happen especially when there is an unexpected play like the catch on that Eloy missile. No reason trolling Abreu. He is an excellent player and the Sox would not have been in the game without his home run and single.

The reporters who pestered Lopez after the game to dig down deeper into what "flu-like symptoms" meant got there answer - diarrhea. The guy had the sh1ts . Let it go now .

Detweiler is better in large measure because of McCann.

You can almost sense Abreu is going to jack one here

McCann has a gun.

I was hoping they send Engel down soon. It is painful to watch him flail at pitches and strike out , often in key situations or with men on base. Bring up Luis Robert and Madrigal now. Maybe the league changes the service time rules over the next 6 years making the little game they are playing to extend control moot.

Too many low change-up pitches and sinkers that were killed by upper-cut swings. I think Gio has to go high and hard pitch inside on the hands, and if you hit one or two of them, oh well.

Eloy threw a strike to the catcher from mid deep LF in today's game against the Angels. The commentator with Benetti was impressed at Eloy's speed on the bases and his closing speed getting to fly balls in the outfield. I agree with him. Eloy is going to surprise cubs fans and others who think he is a lumbering loafer with a noodle arm. They are wrong.

Benetti is such a candyass and that has been further exposed without Stone in the booth.

Benetti is almost intolerable.

Engel is off the 2020 25 man roster or I am going to shoot myself.

The answer to the question might have something to do with what kind of a line-up you want. If you want to play the HR/juiced baseball game that Minnesota has been playing this season, then forget Leury and Madrigal as well. Lead off with Yoan or TA. Get a 2nd basemen that can hit 20 HR , a RF that can hit 25 HR, and a DH that can hit 25-30 HR. Power up and down the line-up. Don't worry about traffic jams on the bases, Just swing for the fences.

Sox need a DH that can hit 30 home runs.

The Sox line-up in 2020 with Leury Garcia looks very balanced between speed and power. Leury followed by Tim Anderson has been working out lately. I like LG as a lead-off hitter. He takes a lot of pitches and is not that easy to strike out. Plenty of speed and arm strength. He gets better if you leave him in one position. He is not a big home run banger but you need a few guys who can get on base , steal, run the bases, and not strike out 200 times as they swing for the fences. There is plenty of power in a line-up with TA, Moncada, Abreu, McCann, Eloy and a DH. Leury Garcia RF Tim Anderson SS Luis Robert CF Jose Abreu 1B Eloy Jiminez LF Yoan Moncada 3B James McCann C Madrigal or Yolmer 2B DH ?

Eloy he is taller, faster and has more reach than Kyle Schwhaber who is a liability at any position. Anyone who dismisses Eloy's potential given his age and lack of major league experience must have some other agenda.

That sh1t is never going to happen again.

That was a disaster. F ck Walton

The Walton and Bennetti game - the most annoying sports broadcast in history. An excellent baseball game ruined for true fans of the game. Giolito was awesome. McCann, Leury Garcia, Tim Anderson, Bummer... The Sox win and the Pirates walking off the Cubs ....made my night.

Strange game. Yolmer's 3 run error ends up being the difference,

Losing Rodon and Kopech for the year kind of hurt the rotation. If both come back on their respective timetables things may not be as dire in 2020 as some anticipate.

Black Jack is as boring as Stone but he would be one of the more obvious choices , at least as a temp. replacement. Time for Stone to retire.