With one win officially in the bank, the Sox will now attempt for a double header sweep.  On the mound for the Sox will be Michael Kopech, who is expected to pitch 2 to 3 innings depending on his efficiency.  Kopech has been insanely good to start this year, putting up a 0.94 FIP and a 99th %tile xwOBA.  Not only is he striking out opposing hitting like crazy (15.26/9), but he’s also inducing incredibly weak contact when the ball is put in play.  While he’s gotten great results on his 4 seamer, his slider has arguably been the best pitch in baseball this year with an xwOBA of 0.017 and a 73% whiff rate.  Simply put, Kopech looks like the real deal and should hopefully put the Red Sox in their place before handing the game over to Crochet for a couple.

As for the Red Sox, they are starting veteran innings eater Martin Perez.  Normally I’d call this a gift from the baseball gods given he’s a left-handed pitcher with a career 4.78 FIP against RH hitters, but Tony has done us no favors in game 2 with Timmy & Grandal on the bench.  Even so, I’m not betting against this team with a lefty on the mound, but it does put a lot of pressure on Abreu & Mercedes to carry the load today.

Let’s fucking go!!

 

Why no TA?

Just now, Leonard Zelig said:

Why no TA?

Tony said he was on the bases a lot last game... so im guessing they want to take it easy on his hamstring..

 

but yeah i dont like it either.

not a fan of the no TA move. let him rest tomorrow if needed, get both wins today. 

1 minute ago, Leonard Zelig said:

Why no TA?

It’s really frustrating.  I’d rather see him play game 2 and then rest tomorrow if need be.  We should never be sitting Timmy against a LHP unless it’s extreme circumstances.

5 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

 

Eww Leury 6th.

2 minutes ago, Heads22 said:

7 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

With one win officially in the bank, the Sox will now attempt for a double header sweep.  On the mound for the Sox will be Michael Kopech, who is expected to pitch 2 to 3 innings depending on his efficiency.  Kopech has been insanely good to start this year, putting up a 0.94 FIP and a 99th %tile xwOBA.  Not only is he striking out opposing hitting like crazy (15.26/9), but he’s also inducing incredibly weak contact when the ball is put in play.  While he’s gotten great results on his 4 seamer, his slider has arguably been the best pitch in baseball this year with an xwOBA of 0.017 and a 73% whiff rate.  Simply put, Kopech looks like the real deal and should hopefully put the Red Sox in their place before handing the game over to Crochet for a couple.

As for the Red Sox, they are starting veteran innings eater Martin Perez.  Normally I’d call this a gift from the baseball gods given he’s a left-handed pitcher with a career 4.78 FIP against RH hitters, but Tony has done us no favors in game 2 with Timmy & Grandal on the bench.  Even so, I’m not betting against this team with a lefty on the mound, but it does put a lot of pressure on Abreu & Mercedes to carry the load today.

Let’s fucking go!!

How lucky are we to have a batter with a .319 OPS batting 6th in the lineup? Truly #blessed.

So we have Collins batting against a lefty even though a righty started the first game?

Just now, ron883 said:

So we have Collins batting against a lefty even though a righty started the first game?

Correct.  We also have a guy that batted .449 with a 1.509 OPS / 299 wRC+ against LHP last year on the bench as well.

LHP on the mound... Start Collins over Grandal and no Timmy. 

1 minute ago, SonofaRoache said:

LHP on the mound... Start Collins over Grandal and no Timmy. 

HoF manager right there.

Just now, chw42 said:

HoF manager baseball person right there.

 

17 minutes ago, Chicago White Sox said:

With one win officially in the bank, the Sox will now attempt for a double header sweep.  On the mound for the Sox will be Michael Kopech, who is expected to pitch 2 to 3 innings depending on his efficiency.  Kopech has been insanely good to start this year, putting up a 0.94 FIP and a 99th %tile xwOBA.  Not only is he striking out opposing hitting like crazy (15.26/9), but he’s also inducing incredibly weak contact when the ball is put in play.  While he’s gotten great results on his 4 seamer, his slider has arguably been the best pitch in baseball this year with an xwOBA of 0.017 and a 73% whiff rate.  Simply put, Kopech looks like the real deal and should hopefully put the Red Sox in their place before handing the game over to Crochet for a couple.

As for the Red Sox, they are starting veteran innings eater Martin Perez.  Normally I’d call this a gift from the baseball gods given he’s a left-handed pitcher with a career 4.78 FIP against RH hitters, but Tony has done us no favors in game 2 with Timmy & Grandal on the bench.  Even so, I’m not betting against this team with a lefty on the mound, but it does put a lot of pressure on Abreu & Mercedes to carry the load today.

Let’s fucking go!!

Robert, Mercedes, and Vaughn all going deep . Not just 1 HR prediction but 3 !

8 minutes ago, ron883 said:

So we have Collins batting against a lefty even though a righty started the first game?

It's pretty clear that TLR is matching the catcher up with their own pitchers and not the opponents. For whatever reason, he wanted Grandal with Keuchel and Collins with Kopech and offense was not a consideration.

8 minutes ago, ron883 said:

So we have Collins batting against a lefty even though a righty started the first game?

Didn't you read the first gamethread? Grandal has packed it in.

1 minute ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

Robert, Mercedes, and Vaughn all going deep . Not just 1 HR prediction but 3 !

Bold, I like it.

IMO you have Yermin catch this game and TA DH. 

11 minutes ago, CaliSoxFanViaSWside said:

Robert, Mercedes, and Vaughn all going deep . Not just 1 HR prediction but 3 !

I like this prediction!!

Kopech is gonna be amped for this game!!!

18 minutes ago, ron883 said:

IMO you have Yermin catch this game and TA DH. 

Or yaz DH. I thought the same thing.  Kopech is nasty though.  Could Yermin handle it?

Agreed with the frustration, but silver lining: some good options to PH late in the game, if necessary.  If Kopech can hold his own for 2+, and with our very good bullpen pretty well rested, this should be a close game late, one way or the other.