Jose Contreras, White Sox streak at Twins expense

by The Cheat on Apr 23, 2006 4:45 PM CDT in News Comment 15 comments

The White Sox 8-game win streak is the 6th time they had such a streak in the last calendar year. The Streaks covered the dates 4/18-4/25, 4/30-5/8, 6/15-6/24, 9/28-10/7, and 10/12-10/26 in 2005, and now 4/16-?? in '06.
Call me greedy, but I'd like to see one reach double digits one these times.
They've allowed just 13 runs during this 8 game stretch, less than they allowed in any of their 8-game streaks from last season. We're a bit spoiled with this starting staff. We complain when Freddy Garcia doesn't pitch in the manner we like. It's almost as if we expect better than a "Quality Start" every time out. Raising expectations seems to be working so far, so I'm not going to knock it.

Photo Credit: ChiliBob

The HR that Jose Contreras allowed to Joe Mauer was the first (regular season) HR in over 100 innings that he's allowed to member of a team other than the Tigers.
Jose's personal 11-game (regular season) winning streak is the longest by a White Sox pitcher since Wilson Alvarez rattled off 15 in '93 & '94. Jose's raw stats from his currenst streak are actually better than Alvarez' during his.
I'm a bit superstitious when it comes to players and records, so I haven't made much mention of Jim Thome's streak that came to an end today. His 17 game stretch of scoring at least one run was the longest such streak to begin a season in Major League history. He fell one short of tying the overall American League record today. He gave a couple of his outs a good ride, one of which resulted in a sac fly, but the wind was knocking down balls that were hit high in the air. He's made at least a small contribution to the offense in every single game so far this year.
Joe Crede, Juan Uribe (twice), and Brian Anderson didn't have trouble leaving the yard, but each one of those homers was hit on a line. It's becoming increasingly obvious that Crede is going to be a beast this year. I could probably crank out a few thousand words about his last 170 AB's, but I'll leave that 'til an off-day.
These poll reverse-jinxes are working pretty well. But now, I'm having a hard time coming up with them. Any suggestions?
Also, Joe Borchard was DFA'd. He'd almost be worth putting a claim in to have a RHed bat that could play the outfield in a reserve role. Of course, that would mean sending Boone Logan down and going with a 10-man pitching staff. That ain't happening any time soon in baseball. Though if there is any team that could do it, it's this one.

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Jose

On a day that he didn't have his forkball, Contreras mixed his pitches, worked his fastball and pitched great.

AIM: shaftr01

XBL: TheMattressMan

by shaftr on Apr 23, 2006 6:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

"When will we hit our first grand slam?"

Not a jinx, but something I am looking forward to.

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

by JoeCoolMan24 on Apr 23, 2006 6:02 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe

When will Cliff's ERA drop into the single digits?

by CrossCyed on Apr 23, 2006 6:59 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Greedy

Jus' sayin'.

The last cigar I smoked was a Montecristo #2 -- the time? 2AM, October 27, 2005.

by Mplssoxfan on Apr 23, 2006 7:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I like the polls BTW

non-controversial ones
Dates for
1st west coast win
1st west coast series win
1st west coast sweep

then maybe in the near future something to debate

who will pitch the first complete game
first Thorton save - yeah you can have never if you want.
Gload's first start - gotta happen, or does it?
when will Logan be optioned - Boo hoo oon.
When will Pods break .280 - I know, never or Charlotte.
Who will get the first walk off - ?

Comonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn You White Sox!

by zokmaad on Apr 23, 2006 9:17 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Polls

Which bullpen pitcher will register a win first?

Which Sox pitcher will have the best record by the All-Star break?

When will Widger get his first hit?

Who will get a hit first Gload or Widger?

-Jeeves www.chisoxblog.blogspot.com

by jeeves on Apr 23, 2006 9:43 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Poll

When will the winning streak end?

AIM: shaftr01

XBL: TheMattressMan

by shaftr on Apr 23, 2006 10:30 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe someone commented...

already and I missed it, but did Ozzie learn something?
Last year, going for the sweep on a Sunday, we'd have seen Timo, Pablo, and Widger in the lineup.
We certainly wouldn't have seen AJ in a day game following a night game.
Thank you Ozzie!

It should be called Bill Veeck Park!

by Chiburb on Apr 24, 2006 8:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Got that right!

No more platooning. Stick with your "everyday line-up" - it needs to gel. And man, is it ever gelling.

by tailgater on Apr 24, 2006 10:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Question about WinExp

I've recently gotten into keeping track of WinExp along with the game. It is a pretty interesting thing to do but I do have one question for people that have been doing it for a while.

What percentage of a play do you give the defender? Is there some sort of rule of thumb?

For example on a routine grounder to the shortstop do you credit 100% to the pitcher for making the pitch? Or should you give a little to the defender for completing the routine play?

And what about the reverse where the pitcher makes a mistake but someone (Crede) makes a great play for an out...

Any help from you experienced WinExp guys would be appreciated.

AIM: BrentBrookhouse

by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 24, 2006 11:42 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

For the most part

You're just monitoring offensive contribution. This gives too much credit to the pitchers, of course, but there is really some large grey areas when it comes to fielding.

I really only used to give fielding credit (or debt) when a player made a spectacular play or botched a routine one.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Apr 24, 2006 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Okay...

That is what I'd been doing. For example yesterday Crede made a great grab on a sharp hit ball so I gave him 50% credit on the play. But on pretty much every other play I went with 100% credit to pitcher.

AIM: BrentBrookhouse

by Brent Brookhouse on Apr 24, 2006 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bullpen Help?

Eventually a starting pitcher will have an early exit and I'm not feeling all warm and fuzzy about middle relief as of yet.

What are KW's options?

by tailgater on Apr 24, 2006 12:22 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I fully agree

If someone were to get rocked early/hurt early, I wouldn't have faith in anyone beyond McCarthy

-Jeeves www.chisoxblog.blogspot.com

by jeeves on Apr 24, 2006 3:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well

if BMAC is our middle relief, i feel pretty good; however, then the problem of set-up man arises. if our bullpen has to go 5 innings or something, that's trouble. then again, most teams probably have that problem.

by larry on Apr 24, 2006 4:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs