PK grounds out to 3rd. 1 out.

Paulie looks confused at the plate.

 

He's more concerned about the ump than hitting.

Yes they will.

 

It's actually not so insane to think that Swisher being lower in the order could be a better RBI guy than Konerko this year. His power stats last year in non-hitters park. The necessity of having Quentin and Swisher both play, and the need to get more speed on the team.

 

The idea would only be worth exploring more, however, if there was actually a proven leadoff hitter in the equation instead of the unknown Owens.

Edited April 7, 200817 yr by Princess Dye

It just seems like Konerko isn't seeing the ball all that well up there. He's taking pitches on the corner and looking perplexed when they're called strikes.

grounder to ss for Dye. 2 out. Boring

Swisher has done nothing this year to suggest he isn't a "proven" leadoff hitter. Unless Kenny can somehow get Roberts, moving Swisher even if Owens comes back seems like a bad move.

AJ grounds out to 2nd. Inning over. Boring.

1-2-3 inning, dang gummit.

Middle of order has been brutal!

Blackburn has retired 6 in a row.

It just seems like Konerko isn't seeing the ball all that well up there. He's taking pitches on the corner and looking perplexed when they're called strikes.

Im pretty sure this is what Konerko sees on the mound right now.

It's actually not so insane to think that Swisher being lower in the order could be a better RBI guy than Konerko this year. His power stats last year in non-hitters park. The necessity of having Quentin and Swisher both play, and the need to get more speed on the team.

 

The idea would only be worth exploring more, however, if there was actually a proven leadoff hitter in the equation instead of the unknown Owens.

Swisher's offensive value takes a huge hit when you move him in from the outfield. You can usually find guys who can put up Swisher-type numbers and play 1B/DH, it's rare however that you find a centerfielder who can do what he can at the plate.

2 pitches, 2 out. Harris up.

gone

who's that pitcher

Harris K's. 3 out.

 

 

Great inning by Vazquez.

 

Maybe the bottom of the order can score some runs.

Javy looking good which is the best thing about this game so far. He might even get through 7.

8 in a row retired for Javy.

6th inning stud? Is this the Bizarro Javy?

1-2-3 inning. CQ, Crede, Uribe up.

And suddenly this is looking like a pretty damn good outing from Javy. 6IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 6 K.

Javy feeling it late... that was the best half-inning from a Sox pitcher all year.

I'm not upset with 6 IP+ 3 ER from Vazquez. I also like that we have Blackburn over 90 pitches through 5 innings, even though we haven't broken through.

Swisher's offensive value takes a huge hit when you move him in from the outfield. You can usually find guys who can put up Swisher-type numbers and play 1B/DH, it's rare however that you find a centerfielder who can do what he can at the plate.

 

It's a good point, but lets not forget Swisher's 2006 where he had 35 HR, again factoring in Oakland's park. with .372 OBP

 

 

I just wonder if anyone would be willing to sit Konerko some if we had a proven speedy leadoff hitter. And could move Swisher to 1B. But it'll all be in theory until we have an extended slump from Paulie. Last year was down but he still drew a lot of walks.