He wouldn't have caught that unless he was lucky. He's not tall enough to make that leap.

If he was at the wall, he wouldn't have had to leap.

Ozzie has to keep Kotsay in the lineup this coming week. He's giving us some of our best swings. With some real bad match-ups in the KC series and then the ridiculous road trip after that, it's going to be a very trying couple of weeks.

I never understand why you bring your closer in non save situations. The only time you do it is when you are tied in the 9th at home. Dumb move.

He's a pitcher. If the game goes 15 innings, you can't put him in? That's ridiculous and I stand by my statement. If Bobby Jenks can only pitch in save situations, he shouldn't be on the roster, not with the contract he has.

 

That's not what I meant.

 

I'm saying closers usually do not pitch in a tie game in the 9th inning on the road.

 

They're usually saved for later if the manager either runs out of good pitching options or if there is an actual save situation to be had.

Just let Thornton start the 8th inning. If the team scores against him in the 8th prior to Jenks, you tip your cap. He was warming up, so it's not like we were saving him today. Make him the 8th inning specialist, and stop trying to play match-ups late in the game.

That's not what I meant.

 

I'm saying closers usually do not pitch in a tie game in the 9th inning on the road.

 

They're usually saved for later if the manager either runs out of good pitching options or if there is an actual save situation to be had.

 

It was either Linebrink, Pena, or Jenks. No good choices, but Jenks was the best of the 3.

You know, now that I check, Jenks's career numbers in save and non-save situations are almost identical.

What are his records in those situations?

I don't know, but its probably not as bad as everyone thinks. If it was, Jenks wouldn't be the folk hero he is around here. I think the Sox need to send Jenks away, but I don't think they could get much for him. I wonder if he'll be non-tendered.

It was either Linebrink, Pena, or Jenks. No good choices, but Jenks was the best of the 3.

Exactly. If any of the other guys were brought in and runs scored, people would wonder where was Jenks.

Since the AS Break we're #10 in MLB in runs scored. We're up to #14 in MLB on the season despite the dreadful start.

It's never been the overall number, it's always been the execution. Our late in game splits are just brutal, as everyone would have already guessed. It's Dr. Jekyll and Mr Hyde, except we're not all that great to begin with.

Exactly. If any of the other guys were brought in and runs scored, people would wonder where was Jenks.

 

you know you're my favorite on here, but I disagree. I don't think there's anyone on here that wants to see Jenks pitch in non-save situations.

you know you're my favorite on here, but I disagree. I don't think there's anyone on here that wants to see Jenks pitch in non-save situations.

 

Over Pena and Linebrink? I sure do.

you know you're my favorite on here, but I disagree. I don't think there's anyone on here that wants to see Jenks pitch in non-save situations.

This season, prior to today, his ERA in save situations was 3.49, non-save situations was 4.26. Not terrible, but not good. But he's only had 13 innings in non-save situations; like 1 or 2 runs is a huge difference.

Exactly. If any of the other guys were brought in and runs scored, people would wonder where was Jenks.

 

I would not have been one of those people.

LOL. I'm sorry but that is just hilarious.

Not as early as hilarious as you acting like Nix and Rios stole your most cherished childhood possession, every time ANYTHING happens to ANYONE on this team.

This season, prior to today, his ERA in save situations was 3.49, non-save situations was 4.26. Not terrible, but not good. But he's only had 13 innings in non-save situations; like 1 or 2 runs is a huge difference.

 

It would be interesting though to look at one-run lead save situations. After all we've all seen those save chances where he has a few runs leeway and gives up those runs,still gets the save.

 

 

He seems like the classic guy who cant overpower anyone but gets hasty hitters in save situations, and doesnt tend to get those guys out when there's more balanced pressure on both hitter and pitcher.

 

Also, lets face it - in tied away games, once that first run crosses, there's no more opportunity for your ERA to rise. In situations where you give up two runs and still get the save....ERA is hurt more, but you were technically completing that very specialized task we expect of closers (get the job done)

Edited August 16, 200916 yr by Princess Dye

It was either Linebrink, Pena, or Jenks. No good choices, but Jenks was the best of the 3.

 

Thornton was warming up with Dotel in the 8th.

 

He should have been pitching.

Thornton was warming up with Dotel in the 8th.

 

He should have been pitching.

 

You can't pitch him in every close game. Somebody else has to step up occasionally.

Giving up 2 ERs in 1+ IP against a HORRIBLE A's offense counts in my book.

hahahaha....Matt, is that you?! hahaha wannabe

This season, prior to today, his ERA in save situations was 3.49, non-save situations was 4.26. Not terrible, but not good. But he's only had 13 innings in non-save situations; like 1 or 2 runs is a huge difference.

 

It's been a longer problem than this year. His BAa and OBPa rise sharply in non-situations and his K/BB ratio falls.

 

After he lost some of his velocity, I doubt a pitcher relies more on adrenaline than Bobby and it really shows.

This inability to finish a sweep is an embarrassment on par with how we soil our diapers in the metrodome. Yes, I understand winning 2/3 is good enough; but Jesus, what is this, 10/11 times we've won the first two/three games of a series and couldn't win the final one? And I believe we've only swept three, all at home. I wouldn't expect them to sweep all games, obviously. But atleast several more than we've seen.

 

And while some people may dismiss it as chance (even though we've hardly faced aces in the final game, as this afternoon has shown), I believe there is just something about this roster that allows these moments to occur with frequency. I don't know if it's one player specifically, but there's a definite mindset in that clubhouse. Almost a "well, we won the first two, and everyone knows we'll lose the third, so we'll lose," just as in the Metrodome its "the minute something goes wrong we're going to lose."

 

This needs to end, immediately. It's really getting to the point where I'm losing interest in this ballclub, even as they are still well within reach of the division lead.

Edited August 16, 200916 yr by Flash Tizzle

This inability to finish a sweep is an embarrassment on par with how we soil our diapers in the metrodome. Yes, I understand winning 2/3 is good enough; but Jesus, what is this, 10/11 times we've won the first two/three games of a series and couldn't win the final one? And I believe we've only swept three, all at home. I wouldn't expect them to sweep all games, obviously. But atleast several more than we've seen.

 

And while some people may dismiss it as chance (even though we've hardly faced aces in the final game, as this afternoon has shown), I believe there is just something about this roster that allows these moments to occur with frequency. I don't know if it's one player specifically, but there's a definite mindset in that clubhouse. Almost a "well, we won the first two, and everyone knows we'll lose the third, so we'll lose," just as in the Metrodome its "the minute something goes wrong we're going to lose."

 

This needs to end, immediately. It's really getting to the point where I'm losing interest in this ballclub, even as they are still well within reach of the division lead.

have you ever thought of seeing someone for help?

Everyone, please come in from the ledge. Pods is such an easy scapegoat but there is plenty of blame to go around. Nix failing to get the runner in from 3rd with one out, his missed tag at 2nd base -- Dotel giving up the tying run with a ball off the wall --- Ozzie not putting Wise in for defense in the 8th --- Jenks, serving up the 2 out home run........when you lose there are plenty of opportunities to second guess.

Bottom line is we were 3 and 3 on a West coast trip and picked up a half game in the process. We are still in great shape to win this thing.

At some point Dye or Konerko need to start hitting again. They occupy important roles in keeping our offense humming. We have 2 guys getting on base enough, and we need to provide Beckham the continuous protection from the 3 hole.

 

Since the ASB

 

Dye .184 BA .589 OPS

Konerko .190BA .669 OPS

 

We have two guys who have balanced their lack of production out with being very hot since the ASB.

 

AJ .352BA .842 OPS

Beckham ..343BA .968 OPS

 

Getz being hurt right now doesnt help things.

.296BA .767OPS

 

And idea might be to move Alexei back to the 2 hole, and drop Beckham to the 3 hole. Then Thome who is still providing a good OPS, then Konerko.

Edited August 17, 200916 yr by southsideirish71

--- Ozzie not putting Wise in for defense in the 8th ---

 

LOL it really says something about our defense when something like this is mismanaging.