I guess they want to step on Detroit's neck while they're down.

High heat from Matt and all the Tigers can do is pop up

Beckham has so much range at 2nd its ridiculous

 

 

He plays a great 2B for sure.

Booyeah.

18 innings against that Tigers lineup.

 

3 runs.

 

1.50 ERA.

hell yeah!!!

...and this ballgame is OVAH!

Detroit Sucks

I guess they want to step on Detroit's neck while they're down.

Guess so and Ventura not confident in Jones. It worked! White Sox Winner! 1st place!

 

weak grounder back to the pitcher and Sox win! I luv that Matt Thornton

This game is going to confuse fantasy sports guys. Did Thornton get a save?

Matt is awesome except as a closer.....1st place 1st time for manager Ventura...pitching matchup favors the White Sox as Sale goes against Porcello tomorrow. Going for the sweep.

 

4-0 now against AL Central! Sweet!

This game is going to confuse fantasy sports guys. Did Thornton get a save?

Don't think so. He came in with a four run lead, not a three run lead.

Sunday on WGN and I believe Sale is pitching. I will see you folks behind the big screen Let's go for the sweep if you have no objections

Sunday on WGN and I believe Sale is pitching. I will see you folks behind the big screen Let's go for the sweep if you have no objections

Now now... now premature sweep-ulation allowed.

 

Now now... now premature sweep-ualation allwed.

 

 

 

I can't hold back though

Am I the only person that's still a bit pessimistic? The Sox have no chance at contending if Dunn, Beckham, and Rios continue to hit this poorly. But, it's early, hopefully they turn it around...

My concern is that they haven't gotten any of their starters past the 6th inning so far.

 

I don't know how long that bullpen can save them.

Am I the only person that's still a bit pessimistic? The Sox have no chance at contending if Dunn, Beckham, and Rios continue to hit this poorly. But, it's early, hopefully they turn it around...

If by pessimistic you mean not likely to win the division, then you are not alone. I still think the Tigers get it done fairly handily. However, my outlook on the future (and this season) is adjusting upwards. I originally had them pegged for a win total in the low 70's.

If by pessimistic you mean not likely to win the division, then you are not alone. I still think the Tigers get it done fairly handily. However, my outlook on the future (and this season) is adjusting upwards. I originally had them pegged for a win total in the low 70's.

I just don't see how this team will score runs. There's a (very) realistic chance the Sox end up getting replacement level value offensively from Beckham, Rios, Dunn, Morel, AJ, etc. The Sox are just fortunate they play 81 games per year at the Cell, so their run total will look inflated compared to where it would look in a more normal ballpark.

I just don't see how this team will score runs. There's a (very) realistic chance the Sox end up getting replacement level value offensively from Beckham, Rios, Dunn, Morel, AJ, etc. The Sox are just fortunate they play 81 games per year at the Cell, so their run total will look inflated compared to where it would look in a more normal ballpark.

 

 

AJ has been their second best or best offensive player. It will probably average out in the end to his normal totals of 12-16 homers and 50-60 RBI's, but that's better than replacement level for a catcher.

 

Dunn will be fine if they start protecting him more against LHP. He's fouling off a lot more pitches (he saw 30 on Friday alone) and he'll square more than his share up in the future. He's actually 5/15 against RHP and 0/11 against LHP. Of course, when you're paying a guy $13-14 million per season, you signed him to hit everyday.

 

Morel's shown encouraging signs the last 2-3 games.

 

Beckham can be replaced by Lillibridge, but we can't easily replace Morel and Beckham, because their defense is just as important as their offense to a team oriented around pitching and winning close games.

 

In the end, this team will go as far as their starting pitching and bullpen take them.

 

Other than the Tigers and Royals, there aren't any offenses that are strong in the AL Central. We match up just fine with the Indians and Twins from an offensive standpoint.