As someone said the Sox need another batter and a starting pitcher. We need guys who have good contact rates and bat control because I don't really see that on this roster.

As someone said the Sox need another batter and a starting pitcher. We need guys who have good contact rates and bat control because I don't really see that on this roster.

Eaton, Melky, Navarro and Rollins all have well above-average contact rates (especially Melky and Eaton, near the top of the league). Jackson is above average, Abreu is right at league average and Frazier just a tad under. Really the only guys with poor contact rates on the roster are Avila, Avi, Lawrie and Sands.

Edited May 16, 20169 yr by OmarComing25

Eaton, Melky, Navarro and Rollins all have well above-average contact rates (especially Melky and Eaton, near the top of the league). Jackson is above average, Abreu is right at league average and Frazier just a tad under. Really the only guys with poor contact rates on the roster are Avila, Avi, Lawrie and Sands.

 

Yet we still don't have a decent 2hole hitter. Maybe if you could clone Eaton.

The problem is that 2 hole hitter would have to come from SS, Austin Jackson or Garcia...unless there's a catcher out there profiling as a 2, and Jason Castro 2-3 years ago might have been the only one (and his K rate is/was terrible, too).

 

So unless you're willing to bench Avi, trade/acquire another SS before you give the job to Anderson or make Jackson a 4th outfielder, there's not going to be a good fix.

My off day boredom has led to me looking ahead with the pitchers.

 

With Sale going on Thursday, is he closing out the DH Monday on 3 days rest? Gotta assume so.

My off day boredom has led to me looking ahead with the pitchers.

 

With Sale going on Thursday, is he closing out the DH Monday on 3 days rest? Gotta assume so.

 

That's a bad assumption. 3 days rest is a thing of the past unless it's October, or late September.

 

I think Chris Beck gets the call as the 26th man on Monday.

Good time to go on a little mini win streak, underachieving Astros and Royals. Hoping to get in town to attend Thursday and Friday night games.

My off day boredom has led to me looking ahead with the pitchers.

 

With Sale going on Thursday, is he closing out the DH Monday on 3 days rest? Gotta assume so.

There is absolutely no reason to have Chris Sale pitch on three days rest in May.

There is absolutely no reason to have any pitcher pitch on three days rest in May.

 

Fixed.

I think they are for real. IMO, I thought 2016 was going to be a bridge year and the team was really going to be competitive in 2017 with Anderson and likely Fulmer up. This season has been a lot of fun so far and while this last week sucked, Im not really down at all on this team. I think they need another bullpen arm and think they need a #3 starter. Robin also needs to stop hitting Rollins and AJax in the 2 hole. Other than that, I have no real complaints. It's been fantastic watching Frazier and Lawrie so far and I've personally been really happy with Avi's progress. We've seen them play some really tough teams well, I think we will be watching some meaningful October baseball this year.

 

 

As an aside, I know there is a lot of concern about Rodon thus far, but I was taking a lot back through his numbers this morning and he really hasnt been that bad. 4 of his 7 starts have been quality, he's been keeping his walks down since the game against Minnesota, and he's striking people out. He's just about to hit the year mark, let's cut the kid a break, he's pitched pretty damn well all things considered. We get spoiled because Sale and Q are legitimately 2 of the best 10 pitchers in the league, having those same expectations of someone who is supposed to be our 3/4 is unrealistic.

With Rodon I think we got a little bit spoiled with how he finished last year. He had that 8 start stretch where he had under a 2.00 ERA.

Many were hoping he could be that guy right away and all year and he really hasn't approached that level again yet .

Heading into Tuesday's games up 4 1/2 on CLE, 5 1/2 on the Royals and 7 games up on DET, who have now won two games a row but also just blew a huge lead against the Twins (Zimmerman gave up 7 ER) but won 10-8 in the end. Would be nice to knock the Tigers out completely, they're teetering on the brink as is...

Heading into Tuesday's games up 4 1/2 on CLE, 5 1/2 on the Royals and 7 games up on DET, who have now won two games a row but also just blew a huge lead against the Twins (Zimmerman gave up 7 ER) but won 10-8 in the end. Would be nice to knock the Tigers out completely, they're teetering on the brink as is...

7 GB with over 125 games to play is not teetering on the brink.

7 GB with over 125 games to play is not teetering on the brink.

 

Yeah that's really not bad at all. It's a long season and anything can happen.

Time to get some home cooking going and get this thing back on track. The Houston series is definitely important, but when KC comes to town I hope our guys are ready to take it to the defending champs and show them that we mean business with this division. Aside from the Twins, we haven't had enough of a test vs. teams in our division. While the current leads we own are nice, whether or not we win this division will still come down to how we play vs. KC, Cleveland and Detroit. It's very important to keep KC down and take at least 2 games. We don't need to be giving that team any momentum at all.

Time to get some home cooking going and get this thing back on track. The Houston series is definitely important, but when KC comes to town I hope our guys are ready to take it to the defending champs and show them that we mean business with this division. Aside from the Twins, we haven't had enough of a test vs. teams in our division. While the current leads we own are nice, whether or not we win this division will still come down to how we play vs. KC, Cleveland and Detroit. It's very important to keep KC down and take at least 2 games. We don't need to be giving that team any momentum at all.

 

Since the Sox intend on pitching Sale against the Astros (why I don't know they could bump him back a day and pitch Q) the match up's don't look great against Kansas City which had a rain out tonight and will probably change their rotational plans.

 

Mark

 

Since the Sox intend on pitching Sale against the Astros (why I don't know they could bump him back a day and pitch Q) the match up's don't look great against Kansas City which had a rain out tonight and will probably change their rotational plans.

 

Mark

 

Maybe they figure Q or Sale, both give you a great chance to win. I agree it would be nice to have Sale against KC and Cleveland, but at the expense of Q vs. KC, the upside isn't as great as if it were Latos or Gonzalez being switched instead of Q.

 

I don't see any reason to change Sale and Quintana around for the Royals...especially in the middle of May when we're leading them by 5 1/2 games. That would be something that would happen against the 2002-2010 Twins, letting the Piranhas get in their heads before the season series has even started.

 

 

The Royals are using their three best pitchers the next two days against the RED SOX.

Ventura Tuesday, Kennedy and Volquez in the DH WED.

 

That means Ventura will pitch Sunday...and that we'll likely see Duffy/Gee for the Fri and Sat games.

 

 

Couldn't be more favorable than that, as arguably Kennedy/Volquez have been roughly equal as their two best starters...we're getting #'s 3-5, and Ventura's velocity has been down appreciably this year (so far).

 

Only advantage KC has is the offday THURS.

Edited May 17, 20169 yr by caulfield12

My offday boredom has me bummed for the first time this season. Can't help but reflect on that game we blew against Texas. Looks like the Sox indeed let it carry over into the Yankee series where for the first time all year our bullpen made us look like a mediocre to poor team.

Granted the Sox couldn't keep winning at that clip on the road, but it is an alarming development. In hindsight, still can't believe my man, Robin, who I've been proud of all season, used Scott Carroll, who has since been sent down. I mean, in hindsight, being 20/20 what a f***ing ridiculous decision to pitch Caroll against a good team.

Geez.

 

Anyway, my off day musing is a negative one. Hopefully we overcome the Carroll implosion vs. Texas and win the division. I really want to beat the Cubs in the WS.

7 GB with over 125 games to play is not teetering on the brink.

 

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/columnis...-seat/84461590/

 

Quite a few in Detroit would disagree with you...

Since the Sox intend on pitching Sale against the Astros (why I don't know they could bump him back a day and pitch Q) the match up's don't look great against Kansas City which had a rain out tonight and will probably change their rotational plans.

 

Mark

 

Because you don't bump your ace.

Because you don't bump your ace.

Agreed. There's honestly no need. There's a long season ahead.

Who cares if the Royals change their rotation plans anyway, none of their starters are any good. Their best pitcher (Volquez) is slightly better than mediocre.

Well, Ian Kennedy's been there best overall starting pitcher for 6 weeks, but the point is well taken.

 

That said, the White Sox have a number of issues at 3-5 right now.