Freddy Garcia deems Tigers worthy of his effort

by The Cheat on Apr 10, 2006 3:20 PM CDT in White Sox News

Freddy Garcia must have gotten quite an earful after his last outing (4IP 7ER), because he was a completely different pitcher today. In his first start, he threw off-speed pitches about two-thirds of the time; today, I would guess (without charting the game) he was throwing fastballs for two-thirds of his pitches.

As with his last start, Comcast's radar gun appeared to be a little off. Last time when he was throwing junk, the pitchers who relieved him all showed significantly less velocity that would be expected on the Comcast's readout. Appearing as if they turned it down, almost to mask Garcia's velocity drop. Today, it appeared the opposite was at work. Comcast didn't display a speed until late in the second inning, and then, they almost always seemed inflated. Reports were that Garcia was about 3MPH slower on the Detroit broadcast. The tin-foil hat in me says something funny is going on behind the scenes.

Whatever the reading on the gun, Garcia looked much better. He still made a few mistakes, first hanging a curveball to Craig Monroe, then laying a BP fastball over the heart of the plate to Chris Shelton after he appeared to be pitching around him. But overall, he looked like the Garcia of old.

Joe Crede should show up on Web Gems again with two more great plays, including another one that popped out of his glove.
Scott Podsednik carried his poor play at the plate into the field, reading homerun on a Craig Monroe pop-up. He wasn't even within 30 feet of that ball when it landed.
This was probably the most encouraging win of the season to date.
1. Because somebody besides Jim Thome displayed their power.
2. Because the bullpen showed up with 3 innings of scoreless ball in a close game.
3. Garcia is definitely not injured, just hard-headed.
Brandon McCarthy was used for two innings, and I wouldn't have minded if he was run back out there for the third. I think Ozzie will come to see that Brandon's value is pitching multiple innings well. He can be used to shorten the game. If he comes in for the 7th, he should pitch through the 8th. If he's brought in for the 8th, I wouldn't hesitate at all to let him finish it. At the end of the year, I want McCarthy to be averaging almost 2 innings per outing from the pen.

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BMAC

like scot shields.

by larry on Apr 10, 2006 3:24 PM CDT reply actions

Exactly

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Apr 10, 2006 3:25 PM CDT up reply actions

Innings

I still wonder how many innings McCarthy will pitch.

AIM: shaftr01

XBL: TheMattressMan

by shaftr on Apr 10, 2006 3:27 PM CDT reply actions

I've got him penciled in for 120

that's including a couple starts. I want about 100 innings ~ 60 outings from the pen.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Apr 10, 2006 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions

question

IF he was in AAA pitching in the rotation all year, how many innings would he rack up?

AIM: shaftr01

XBL: TheMattressMan

by shaftr on Apr 10, 2006 3:34 PM CDT up reply actions

28 starts

so just short of 200 if he goes 7 innings per.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Apr 10, 2006 3:41 PM CDT up reply actions

thanks

he really has stepped up. I hope Chicago rewards him and gives him a starting spot next year (I think they will). It will be interesting to see at who's expense.

AIM: shaftr01

XBL: TheMattressMan

by shaftr on Apr 10, 2006 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions

Hopefully

at Freddy's.

AIM: JoeCoolMan24 www.2ksports.com/forums Thats where i spend most of my day

by JoeCoolMan24 on Apr 10, 2006 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions

I have had him at 124 Innings

going 11-4. A couple spot starts, and some wins from the bullpen. 11 wins might be too high, but as long as we win 90+ games, its a possibility.

AIM: JoeCoolMan24 www.2ksports.com/forums Thats where i spend most of my day

by JoeCoolMan24 on Apr 10, 2006 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions

tonight: nomo's debut

so who's ready for hideo nomo tonight down on the farm?

by larry on Apr 10, 2006 3:38 PM CDT reply actions

BMAC

I'm thinking this offseason one of the starters has to go. I'm not sure at all who or for who, but it seems that BMAC is ready to make 25+ starts and throw over around 200 innings while producing above average starting pitching. Odd man out looks like Garcia to me, hopefully he can have a decent season so his trade value remains high, but he's clearly in the twilight of his career. He will be 32 next year, and he's pitched 200+ innings 7 times already. He's not ready for a collapse, just the guy I'd look to move out of everyone else.

by madvillian on Apr 10, 2006 4:03 PM CDT reply actions

freddy

pretty sure he's still 29. but who knows for sure with these south american players. his contract is up after '07 - but then so is mark's (presuming sox exercise option). i'd rather keep mark but can we pay him? maybe we're losing both, though, so perhaps i shouldn't think in terms of bmac replacing one.

by larry on Apr 10, 2006 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions

31

this is his age 31 season.

AIM: shaftr01

XBL: TheMattressMan

by shaftr on Apr 10, 2006 4:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Freddy Garcia's Age

I'll reference SSH2005 as bringing my attention to this, but...

Baseball-reference might be wrong. They have his birthday at June 10, 1975 (so this will be his 31st birthday in June).

Whitesox.com, OTOH, has the same date and month, but one year later -- 1976. Meaning, he's currently 29 and will turn 30 in June.

One year isn't a big deal, especially for a starting pitcher (as their peak years tend to vary into their mid-30s, IIRC), but it'd be nice to get clarification on this.

by CWSKeith on Apr 10, 2006 5:04 PM CDT up reply actions

funny, he doesn't look cuban

I think KW is in the catbird seat, to use a Thurberism via Dizzy Dean.

Worst case, somebody gets hurt and brings BMac out of pen

Base case, Bmac is Scoyt Shields (all year long. (Very apt though a little better I think)

Best case, If the starters are all healthy he goes into the trade dealine with a lot of chips and a lot of leverage.

by dyspeptic on Apr 11, 2006 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions

Dissagree

We need McCarthy in the bullpen way too much. I think only him and Jenks are going to be excellent out of the pen. One of Cotts and Politte is probably going to take a big step back and the other will probably be solid, but not the best. Let's put it this way, Cotts, Politte and Jenks pitching the 7th, 8th and 9th will be far less of a sure thing than it was last year in my view of things.

But why not let McCarthy just occupy a role that is the mix of Shields and Santana before his rotation days? He's still plenty young. Santana didn't start full time until his age 25 season and he didnt seem to be affected by it.

by MRKARNO on Apr 10, 2006 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Today's Game

Today, Jim Thome exploded yet again for ANOTHER home run. This guy has found a home on the South Side and I'm excited to see what he can do.

by PostmanM on Apr 10, 2006 4:21 PM CDT reply actions

Defence

There was plenty of defence today. Telling was when Mackowiak took the fly away from Pods and gunned it back in. Pods did not look sure of himself in left. Although Hawk made a remark about glare you'll get no excuses from me guys. He looked bad. Konerko made three good plays. Crede was Crede. His D is fantastic. Just have to remember the runner's helemet may not be attached to his head. AJ's catch on the bunt - nice play.

Glad I was not the only one wanting BMac to finish up. The extra inning of work is good for him. Jenks as usual came in on a next day opportunity with his velocity down. I saw one curve. But he didn't walk anyone and kept the ball in the yard. 1,2,3 see ya.

The Sox beat a hot team in its home opener using an iffy starter.

Comonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn You White Sox!

by zokmaad on Apr 10, 2006 4:26 PM CDT reply actions

Pods Riding The Pine?

How long will Ozzie stick with him until HE GONE (or at least not starting)?

I'm hoping he keeps throwing him out there due to his lack of spring training, but how long do you let this go on?

Didn't Robin Ventura have some 0-41 start one year?

by tailgater on Apr 10, 2006 4:40 PM CDT reply actions

here

Robin Ventura, White Sox 1990 0-for-41 April 18-May 11

Comonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn You White Sox!

by zokmaad on Apr 10, 2006 4:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Ventura...

Yeah he started slow his rookie year... He was also young, unquestionably healthy, and playing great defense.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Apr 10, 2006 4:43 PM CDT up reply actions

his stats that year

Robin Ventura, White Sox Hit .249 overall in his rookie
campaign, but without his slump he
would have batted .272

Comonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn You White Sox!

by zokmaad on Apr 10, 2006 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Why not try Gload in left?

He'd be an improvement over Pods at the plate...and with the way Pods has looked so far, probably in the field as well.

by chrome on Apr 11, 2006 10:39 AM CDT up reply actions

I hate Gload in the outfield

psychological scars from a sox/cubs game two years ago but back to Pods. His productivity is based up on three things: covering a lot of ground, getting on base and stealing. His deficiencies (lack of power,mediocre flyball judging and poor arm) are such that for a corner outfielder he can not afford slippage. For instance if you factor the caught stealings from the end of last year into his OBP it slips below .300. Granted he was hurt, but he kept running.

Last year was good year and his OPS was 700 even. If he slips much below that he becomes untenable.

by dyspeptic on Apr 11, 2006 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions

I'd prefer not to have Gload's defense out there

But between Podsednik's fielding this year, and Ozuna's disastrous start in left, I can't see it being any worse - and at least he could help out offensively.

by chrome on Apr 11, 2006 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Iguchi to lead off?

If they bench Podsednik, who should lead-off? Iguchi? He's getting on well so far...

by xian on Apr 10, 2006 4:53 PM CDT reply actions

Yeah

I'd just move the order up one. Thome is a dangerous #2 hitter.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Apr 10, 2006 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Order

I'm one of those guys that likes to keep guys in their spot in the order as much as possible, not make a diff lineup based on the subs that you play that particular day. I don't know who should lead off, but whoever it is would be a huge upgrade over scott "should have started the season on the DL" podsednik.

by illinikrush on Apr 10, 2006 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions