Just now, Chicago White Sox said:

Where the fuck is Cooper??

He left after 2015

If they really cared about what's good for Lopez's pitch count they wouldn't play Palka in RF

2 minutes ago, Jack Parkman said:

If Giolito looks awful tomorrow this opening series will have put a damper into all of my optimism. Rodon and Lopez's 1st starts velocity wise leave a LOT to be desired. neither guy is going to be all that effective throwing low 90s. 

Everything I've heard about Giolito this spring is that he was sitting 95-97 so hopefully he shows that tomorrow. 

 

It’s 35 degrees

1 minute ago, Jake said:

It's not like it's a banner day but he's "deserved" a 0-run and roughly 55-pitch 3 innings thus far.

2 runs would have scored even if they caught that ball

Even that Sanchez put-out looked shaky.  Wtf was Spring Training for?

You know you can be a good pitcher and not throw 95+ right? It isn't all about velocity.

Lopez is not good in the cold weather but I have seen him 95 and 96 today

1 minute ago, Balta1701 said:

If this offseason didn't already kill it nothing will. This offseason should have been enough to leave 10k tickets unsold for the home opener. 

There are still tickets left for HOD and I've never seem them available this late in the season.

4 minutes ago, Jake said:

They've had one well-hit ball in this game. Lopez isn't the issue here

He is missing his spots, but the cold could have something to do with it.

3 minutes ago, Jack Parkman said:

If Giolito looks awful tomorrow this opening series will have put a damper into all of my optimism. Rodon and Lopez's 1st starts velocity wise leave a LOT to be desired. neither guy is going to be all that effective throwing low 90s. 

Everything I've heard about Giolito this spring is that he was sitting 95-97 so hopefully he shows that tomorrow. 

 

Lopez will be fine velocity wise, he just needs to be able to command his pitches.  He’s missing all over the place today.  

Just now, HOFHurt35 said:

Even that Sanchez put-out looked shaky.  Wtf was Spring Training for?

Abreu was far off the bag. Not a big deal.

Just now, Jake said:

If they really cared about what's good for Lopez's pitch count they wouldn't play Palka in RF

Yep he makes Avi look like a gold glover... I want chubby Palka back at DH

Sox half innings last less than 5 minutes

KC's half innings last a half hour.

Just now, fathom said:

2 runs would have scored even if they caught that ball

Palka also let Hamilton tag on him. But it's also true that Eloy/Anderson made the back-breaking error in this particular inning. Only difference is there's upside to playing Eloy in the outfield

2 minutes ago, mqr said:

It’s 35 degrees

Last year Jakob Junis's average fastball was 91.8 and Gameday shows him hitting 93.1 today so he's right at his velocity from last year despite the conditions.

Just now, mqr said:

It’s 35 degrees

Yeah, but you never know if it is just the weather or not. These guys have to learn how to get loose in cold weather otherwise they can't pitch here. Guys have to be able to pitch in cold weather because it is unlikely to break 60 degrees with regularity until Mother's day, and if the last few years are any indication I wouldn't expect anything warmer than 55 until mid-May. 

1 minute ago, BigHurt3515 said:

You know you can be a good pitcher and not throw 95+ right? It isn't all about velocity.

Lopez is not good in the cold weather but I have seen him 95 and 96 today

He’s never been pinpoint though, which is why even at 97-98 he struggles to miss bats.  At 92-94, it makes it easier to square up.

Palka is strictly DH material.  It's only because of Hahn's deficient scouting and player development that he is playing in the field.

2 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

Lopez will be fine velocity wise, he just needs to be able to command his pitches.  He’s missing all over the place today.  

I hope you're right. I'm going to watch him a bit closer next inning to see if he's flying open. That costs a pitcher velocity, as we've seen with Giolito. 

6 minutes ago, Tony said:

BREAKING NEWS

It's been breaking news  for  the past decade  though and doesn't seem like it is going to get better anytime soon. 

Thanks Hahn this is a crap show game 2. I hope park is half empty next week 

Edited March 30, 20197 yr by Soxfest

I'm not going to be too hard on Eloy. He probably catches that easy if Tim stays the hell away from the play. I'm more concerned with Palka. I wish we had Avi out there instead of Palka.

5 minutes ago, BigHurt3515 said:

You know you can be a good pitcher and not throw 95+ right? It isn't all about velocity.

Lopez is not good in the cold weather but I have seen him 95 and 96 today

I saw 2 at 95 and a couple at 91. He's been mostly 92-93. It depends on the pitcher. Some pitchers have the secondary stuff to get hitters out without the premium velo, some don't. I don't think Lopez is the former. 

Edited March 30, 20197 yr by Jack Parkman

Main question for me about Lopez today is where his changeup is hiding. Everyone's different but my experience is that's the offspeed pitch that's easiest to throw on these chilly days where your fingers don't feel right.

2 minutes ago, fathom said:

He’s never been pinpoint though, which is why even at 97-98 he struggles to miss bats.  At 92-94, it makes it easier to square up.

He struggled to miss bats because guys were just teeing up on his fastball.  Until he can command the secondary pitches with some level of consistency that will not change.

If Alonso can put up more quality at-bats and get on base, he may yet turn out to be a decent signing.