http://youtu.be/EQ5UDp_bMh0

http://youtu.be/EQ5UDp_bMh0

 

 

RIP Michael Clarke Duncan

 

 

 

1) Francona was absolutely nuts for having Aviles in CF...that "double" Ramirez hits is caught, it's a completely different game

 

Michael Bourne was 4/14 coming into the game (against Danks) but only 9/45 on the season and struggling with his OBP and only 1 steal...Tito thought it was better to match him up with Noesi and Samardzija instead, but you HAVE to put in there defensively when you're paying him $48 million over 3 seasons (more than Melky's making)...

 

2) What the heck was Avi doing with that "pump" fake on the Brantley double against the wall...if he picks it up and throws it to the cutoff man right away, the trail runner doesn't advance and they have a good shot at the runner rounding 3rd.

 

3) 75-85% of managers are going to pull their closer when a 3-0 lead has turned into a blown save and tie game with only one out recorded...very surprising he left Allen in against Cabrera, especially since it's not like Allen has a pedigree of successfully closing out games over a 3-5 year period.

 

The Indians just aren't as dangerous without Gomes....and their bullpen is a mess. OTOH, the Tigers and Royals are better than most were expecting or predicting. Still, that Indians rotation will keep them in a lot of games if they can firm up their defense and back end of the pen.

 

FINALLY, never pitch to Ryan Raburn again, geez....the guy has like 17 or 18 career homers against the White Sox, I bet he doesn't have more than 30-40 against all the other teams in MLB combined.

Edited April 21, 201510 yr by caulfield12

That was a sweet win. I have heard the Indians have quite an advantage in the AL Central from the managerial position. Leaving Aviles in CF and letting your closer give up 6 hits would be considered a fireable offense in these parts.

That was a sweet win. I have heard the Indians have quite an advantage in the AL Central from the managerial position. Leaving Aviles in CF and letting your closer give up 6 hits would be considered a fireable offense in these parts.

 

 

How about that Robin Ventura!!! Made great moves putting in Flowers and Beckham and pitched his closer in the ninth to hold the deficit at 3 so we could come back and catch them.

How about that Robin Ventura!!! Made great moves putting in Flowers and Beckham and pitched his closer in the ninth to hold the deficit at 3 so we could come back and catch them.

Yes, he clearly outmanaged Francona. Nice job RV.

 

Beckham hitting .400, and it's not just what he's hit, it's when he hit it. May be a time to talk extension.

Edited April 21, 201510 yr by Dick Allen

While it was nice to see them win, I still have little faith in this team. Innings 1-8 were an absolute mess, and if they think they can put together that 1 solid inning to save them every day, they have another thing coming...not to mention, try that against the Royals and see how many runs you score through that pen.

 

Happy they won...but still not believing.

 

This team still can't field for s***, constantly giving other teams 4 outs per inning, walking batters left and right.

 

Yea, I'm raining on your little parade here.

While it was nice to see them win, I still have little faith in this team. Innings 1-8 were an absolute mess, and if they think they can put together that 1 solid inning to save them every day, they have another thing coming...not to mention, try that against the Royals and see how many runs you score through that pen.

 

Happy they won...but still not believing.

 

This team still can't field for s***, constantly giving other teams 4 outs per inning, walking batters left and right.

 

Yea, I'm raining on your little parade here.

I think the bullpen is nails now. The offense can't possibly continue to be as bad as it's been. Q and Samardzija have to be better. Rodon will eventually move into the rotation. The defense is a huge concern. IMO the Sox worst defenders are Gillaspie, Avi, and Micah, and it seems the opposition hits a lot of balls their way. I have no idea what the pump fake from Avi was last night. I have never seen it, but when he was acquired less than 2 years ago, it was thought he could be a CF. His defense is definitely trending down. Hopefuly these guys can step it up and be adequate.

While it was nice to see them win, I still have little faith in this team. Innings 1-8 were an absolute mess, and if they think they can put together that 1 solid inning to save them every day, they have another thing coming...not to mention, try that against the Royals and see how many runs you score through that pen.

 

Happy they won...but still not believing.

 

This team still can't field for s***, constantly giving other teams 4 outs per inning, walking batters left and right.

 

Yea, I'm raining on your little parade here.

 

26 Major League teams have allowed more walks than the White Sox so far this year.

Yes, he clearly outmanaged Francona. Nice job RV.

 

Beckham hitting .400, and it's not just what he's hit, it's when he hit it. May be a time to talk extension.

 

Yea the early going they've been much better about not walking people. Not really a valid complaint.

26 Major League teams have allowed more walks than the White Sox so far this year.

 

The difference is when the WS walk people they almost always become runs. And if other bad teams do this too, then why the comparison?

 

This team is better on paper than it is on the field.

The fuse is lit.

 

This was my thought, too -- or it was my hope anyway. I said to my girlfriend. "that inning was the first time I've felt like they could actually hit this whole season."

 

It's been really rough so far, but the guys looked SO excited during the entire rally. I hope this is the turnaround.

I think the bullpen is nails now. The offense can't possibly continue to be as bad as it's been. Q and Samardzija have to be better. Rodon will eventually move into the rotation. The defense is a huge concern. IMO the Sox worst defenders are Gillaspie, Avi, and Micah, and it seems the opposition hits a lot of balls their way. I have no idea what the pump fake from Avi was last night. I have never seen it, but when he was acquired less than 2 years ago, it was thought he could be a CF. His defense is definitely trending down. Hopefuly these guys can step it up and be adequate.

 

Just seems to me that when this team can make a mistake, it does. And seeing them on paper versus how its translating to on field play is frustrating.

I think the bullpen is nails now. The offense can't possibly continue to be as bad as it's been. Q and Samardzija have to be better. Rodon will eventually move into the rotation. The defense is a huge concern. IMO the Sox worst defenders are Gillaspie, Avi, and Micah, and it seems the opposition hits a lot of balls their way. I have no idea what the pump fake from Avi was last night. I have never seen it, but when he was acquired less than 2 years ago, it was thought he could be a CF. His defense is definitely trending down. Hopefuly these guys can step it up and be adequate.

 

Great point. Micah seems to be a real issue because of his hands. Even that grounder up the middle early on -- yeah, tough play, no doubt, but a ML infielder at least gloves that ball. Maybe he can't fget an accurate throw off in time, but that feels like the 5th or 6th grounder I've seen him bobble or drop this year, and it makes me worry about his defense long-term.

Just seems to me that when this team can make a mistake, it does. And seeing them on paper versus how its translating to on field play is frustrating.

So far, that's how it's gone. I don't think it will continue for much longer.

 

It was nice of the Cleveland OF to let Melky's ball drop for a hit instead of a SF.

Edited April 21, 201510 yr by Dick Allen

Huge emotional difference between 4-8 after another lackluster offensive performance (Bauer, btw, is showing signs that he's the next guy in the division that the Sox just won't be able to figure out) and 5-7 after that epic hit parade. Hopefully that's the springboard that gets the offense going. Eaton's reaction after his basehit was adorable.

So far, that's how it's gone. I don't think it will continue for much longer.

 

It was nice of the Cleveland OF to let Melky's ball drop for a hit instead of a SF.

 

I noticed that. They were playing shallow? Seemed like it was just going to be a deep sac fly. But with Flowers on third you catch that and make a throw. But what do I know. I'm just an armchair fan.

I noticed that. They were playing shallow? Seemed like it was just going to be a deep sac fly. But with Flowers on third you catch that and make a throw. But what do I know. I'm just an armchair fan.

 

If nothing else you have to catch the ball and hope you can nail the runner on appeal for leaving early.

If nothing else you have to catch the ball and hope you can nail the runner on appeal for leaving early.

Or just throw your poor pitcher's ERA a bone.

I noticed that. They were playing shallow? Seemed like it was just going to be a deep sac fly. But with Flowers on third you catch that and make a throw. But what do I know. I'm just an armchair fan.

 

no they were playing in, they dont have the arms for the outfield and the only chance was for a shallow fly and quick throw home. Where Melky hit it, there was no way they were throwing out Flowers there

When the inning started I had a flashback to the save John Axford blew in Chicago for Cleveland last year.

no they were playing in, they dont have the arms for the outfield and the only chance was for a shallow fly and quick throw home. Where Melky hit it, there was no way they were throwing out Flowers there

 

It's Flowers were talking about here.

 

And while I admit I'm probably the biggest Flowers hater in the world, I truly believe he'd find a way to mess that up and he'd get thrown out...somehow.

Until I heard it on the radio this morning I thought they had lost 3-0 last night. I thought they were joking when they said the Sox came back and won in the 9th and had to check my phone because I didnt believe it.

It's Flowers were talking about here.

 

And while I admit I'm probably the biggest Flowers hater in the world, I truly believe he'd find a way to mess that up and he'd get thrown out...somehow.

 

lol. I think even PK would have made it home with ease in that situation. Aviles wasnt going to morph into Bo Jackson

So far, that's how it's gone. I don't think it will continue for much longer.

 

It was nice of the Cleveland OF to let Melky's ball drop for a hit instead of a SF.

 

I keep telling myself, there is no way this can continue, not to mention the season is young, but they keep doing it...meanwhile the early success of the Royals and Tigers are magnifying the issues.