tray

Dependable starting pitching and clutch relievers can set the stage for a championship run. So we need Gio, Lynn, Cease and possibly Rodon to give us 5-6 strong innings in every play-off game. Middle relief looks good with Tepera, Bummer, Kopech and Crochet. Hahn's plan in trading Madrigal and Heuer was to have a lock down 8th and 9th but Kimbrel and Liam have been touched up all too often. My current ire is aimed at Hahn for the Kimbrel trade. Frank Thomas excuses Kimbrel because he is pitching in the 8th. I think that is a bunch of baloney. In fact, if Kimbrel continues to struggle, maybe Kopech or Crochet should be used in the set-up role instead of Kimbrel. The Sox can't allow Kimbrel to blow key games with walks , hit batters wild pitches, and allowing every guy who gets on first to steal second. I wonder how he has had success Closing when he can't hold a runner on first. He can't strike everybody out any more so any single, walk, or hit batter becomes a double. What a flocked -up trade. Like I said, maybe demote Kimbrel to middle relief and see how that works for him. The stakes are too high to let one guy blow it for us and I have a bad feeling that is what he will do.

I hated the trade, and still do.

The Sox announced roster moves on Sept 1 (like Lamb DFA, bringing up Sheets and Romy). I wonder if those moves were reflected on the 40 man roster prior to the Aug 31 deadline.

OK.

I don't know who said that, but the Sox called up Romy and Sheets on Sept 1 when they DFAed Lamb.

He was called up 0n September 1. https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-white-sox-make-six-roster-moves-sept-1-2021 Romy has an unusual combination of power and speed that played well in the Minors. I would start him in RF for a few games and see if he can hit before making any judgments about him.

Who said that?

Ozzie is becoming increasingly insufferable as a regular participant in the post game show.

Romy Gonzalez is a lot faster than other alternatives for RF. If Vaughn and Engel can't come back at 100%, Romy might be an option out there. I have only seem him play a few games but so far he looks like a gamer. What is Getz feeding these guys in the Minors? This is another player few expected to advance to the major league club and be able to contribute right away.

The rematch of teams that played in the '05 WS seems strange. I wish Houston stayed in the NL and Milwaukee in the AL. I hope Houston Astros announcer Geoff Blum still has vivid memories of his '05 WS game 3 shot that practically sealed the deal for the Sox.. Geoff is one of the players enshrined with a bronze statue off 35th street.

If Engel is healthy, he is a strong contender to start in RF. Hamilton is favored by LaRussa because of his late inning D and pinch running. Sheets is the best option for a LH power bat. Vaughn could hit his way back into favor when he returns. There will be decisions that have to be made.

Houston wants revenge for 2005. Can't let that happen, Gio, Lynn and Rodon have to dominate until Sox thunder strikes and pounds the Astros into submission.

Stone refused to say that Vaughn would not have reached the home run that Eloy brought back so I will.

I suspect Vaughn hurt his back on that dive where he made himself into a human lawn dart. In order to avoid injury he has to stay on his feet out there.

I never said any of that. I don't know Vaughn's circumstances but I trust Andrew Vaughn, the White Sox trainers , medical staff and Tony LaRussa to make the right decisions as to his availability to play right now. This is what the Whitesox.com page says: "The upcoming Angels series sounds hopeful for Vaughn, based on manager Tony La Russa’s comments Sunday. “He said he started feeling it the last game. Or maybe he was feeling it maybe the second game in Oakland,” La Russa said. “He could post up. He played the outfield, but he's got some issues on both legs. “He's not available. Wasn't available last night. Not available today. We're discussing right now how soon he will be available, so I'm not sure what the answer is yet." (Last updated: Sept. 12)

No it wasn't. Vaughn has been hitting well under the Mendoza line for his last 30+ games and has failed repeatedly during those games in key ta-bats with men on base. Vaughn may have had a typical rookie slump and/or he is having some issue with his legs. Either way, the best course to take with him is the same as it is with every other player on the White Sox right now - address any injuries or medical issues and give them time off as required so they are ready to perform at the best of their abilities in the playoffs. LaRussa has been doing a great job managing the players and the team and they will be ready for Houston in a couple of weeks.

Great series win by the White Sox. TLaR proved a lot of know-it-all second guessing little b1tches wrong.

Wright gave up a single.

The circumstances that the White Sox are in did not warrant using Liam for the 10th. Get over it and quit whining. Wright actually pitched better than Kimbrel. That one hit sealed the deal because of the absurd ghost runner rule . I would prefer calling tie games after 9 innings...as tie games instead of the farcical Ghost Runner Rule.

Vaughn was deemed unavailable for medical reasons before the game. However, even if he was available, dude has hit .146 in his last 30 games and has looked pathetic against pitchers with decent sliders. Anyway Tony said his legs are sore and he could not swing or run so it is a moot point. The penultimate Closer lost the game. He got tagged.

It might be getting too late in the season for AVaughn to make the adjustments necessary to hit the better RH pitchers consistently. I'm not suggesting Vaughn hasn't or can't hit RH pitching, but maybe there are better alternatives at this point like Sheets against RH pitching. The way the entire team is hitting lately, it may not matter how Vaughn is deployed. There are a few guys who are in hitting slumps right now and other than Abreu and Grandal to some extent, no one is getting the clutch hit we need to stay in some of these close games.

Vaughn came up empty 0 for 5 and twice with bases loaded. I think he is starting to press and may need a few days off. Maybe L/R platoon at DH with Sheets the rest of the way.

You seem to have some pent up anger. When is the last time you got ..... oh never mind..

Vaughn:

Leury starting to look better than Caesar.