I’m about half in the bag. I’m hoping the Sox play on my birthday for the third time in my lifetime. The first one wasn’t so good…Tito Fucking Landrum. Second was fine. Third could be epic as we close out the series at home!

Was hoping the 3pm start would open up some more tickets. Nope. My fault for not realizing how much I’d want to go

5 hours ago, tray said:

One strategy against an opponent with key offensive players is to try to limit their impact or as some say, don't let them beat you. The White Sox were successful in limiting Yordan Alvarez (1 for 7) in the Houston series. Likewise PCA went 0-7 against the Padres. Sox have to limit damage from Rocchio in the Cleveland series. I am sure the Sox pitching staff is focusing in on that player in particular.

4 hours ago, JTB said:

I’m about half in the bag. I’m hoping the Sox play on my birthday for the third time in my lifetime. The first one wasn’t so good…Tito Fucking Landrum. Second was fine. Third could be epic as we close out the series at home!

I was at the Tito Landrum game. 1983....Brit Burns ...Jerry Dybzinski etc.

Against Messick, I want to see the following lineup. Stats are wRC+ against LHP on a full season basis and for the last two months.

1. C. Meidroth, 2B (187 | 287)

2. R. Grichuk, RF (197 | 233)

3. M. Vargas, 3B (155 | 153)

4. M. Murakami, 1B* (110 | 120)

5. B. Doyle, CF (158 | 158)

6. S. Antonacci, LF* (83 | 134)

7. T. Pham, DH (103 | 103)

8. K. Teel, C* (75, 140)

9. C. Montgomery, SS* (118 | 65)

I thought about putting Rogers in for Teel and wouldn’t completely hate it to start the game, but I ultimately went with our main dude Kyle as he’s hit LHP surprisingly well over the last two months (SSS).

The other question was LF and whether to go with Sam or Peters. I decided to go with Sam and save Peters for when the Guardians’ bullpen comes in. By doing so, it allows us to decide if we need to prioritize defense or offense and gives us better flexibility on how to deploy Tristin. If we’re down, he comes in for Doyle or Grichuk. If we’re up, he comes in for Antonacci.

My only concern with the above lineup is it quickly gets imbalanced once you start subbing in guys. However, I still think stacking your big three RH bats at the top makes the most sense. Getting after Messick the first or second time through the lineup is critical and those three RH bats are the best way to do that.