In need of a vacation

by The Cheat on Jun 5, 2006 2:40 PM CDT in White Sox News

I sat down at the computer last night, but I couldn't bring myself to write about yet another White Sox defeat in which they were unable to hold an early lead. The Sox set a record last season by having a lead in each of their first 38 games. And that was great because they were pretty darned good at holding onto those leads, going 27-11. Once again, the Sox have been very good at getting the early lead, but haven't been as successful holding those leads this season. They've had the lead in 21 of thier last 22 games, with the lone exception being the shutout at the hands on the Indians, but they have just an 11-11 record over that span.

The bullpen is not solely to blame for allowing teams back into games. Last season, with a 1-run lead, the starters seemed incredibly comfortable putting up zeros. This year, no lead seems safe, no matter who's starting. The offense is partially to blame too. They have scored after the 4th inning in just one of the Sox last 6 games, the 12-8 loss to Cleveland.

These Sox can win games while not firing on all cylinders. But for the last 3 weeks, we've only been firing on one, scoring early.

* * * * *

On a personal note, I'll be leaving town for 12 days in a couple of weeks. I'll need you guys to step up and keep the site running, as I'll have only spotty internet access, and I need a break anyway. I think I can entrust Wizardsofoz with Gamethread duties. He's already picking up my slack on the weekends around here. The rest of you can all chip in writing game recaps, and posting other newsworthy topics.

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Ugh...

Normally I'd volunteer to help keep things going (see last years State of Things series during your vacation). But I cant watch this team right now...I just can't do it.

AIM: BrentBrookhouse

by Brent Brookhouse on Jun 5, 2006 3:10 PM CDT reply actions

com' on brent!

will you be able to stay away from a sox game that you know it's going on (provided that you don't have any other commitments)?

HEY THIS IS JI
JIM THOME
THE PEORIA POUNDER

by The Wizard on Jun 5, 2006 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions

I've managed

for about a week now. I just find other things to do. They're cutting years off my life right now with how stressed I get over these games.

AIM: BrentBrookhouse

by Brent Brookhouse on Jun 5, 2006 5:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Sox Vacation

Hopefully the Sox one day break is enough time for them to get mentally prepared for this series.

-Jeeves Chi-Sox Blog

by jeeves on Jun 5, 2006 3:45 PM CDT reply actions

I've got to step away from the ledge

I was close to jumping several times last year ("The September Slide") and boy was I wrong!

I will take comfort in the fact that Big Bad Jim will be back tomorrow, they still have the most dangerous 1-7 hitters (when Ozzie isn't platooning) and the best starting rotation (they just haven't shown it lately).

A sweep against the Tigers and we'll all have a nice group hug and victory cigars.

So, I'm backing away...at least until Thursday.

by tailgater on Jun 5, 2006 3:49 PM CDT reply actions

the day off

is just what we all need as fans.
We need to step back and look at the big picture.
playing .500 ball, and yet 12 games over .500.

you think Detroit fans arent worried too?

3-0 vs them so far and the Sox can overtake them for 1st place by next weekend.

Maggs has been on fire this year. Good for him. But if its a close game, their bullpen is in worse shape than ours, atleast we have a solid closer. Their young guys scare me a bit since the Sox seem to have a knack for losing to kids they see for the first time. Zumaya has some good stuff.

Hopefully Thome can get right. Both bashers this year (Pujols and Thome) have already started to breakdown in the first of summer's dog days.
Welcome to post steroid baseball and more natural recovery time.

Theres plenty of options in house to fix up the bullpen. One of those guys tearing up the minors might be able to be contribute in the bigs.
(AAA club)
Javier Lopez    2-1    0.61    ERA
Charlie Haeger    6-0    0.97    ERA
Heath Phillips    6-2    1.70    ERA
Agustin Montero    2-1    2.05    ERA
Jeff Farnsworth    3-0    2.08    ERA
Stephen Randolph 5-0    2.83    ERA

AND THE SECRET WEAPON:

Hideo Nomo 0-0 3.00 ERA

Im not looking forward to watching this series. Scratch that, I cant wait to see it, but I just rather not hear it.

Hawks company line is getting on my last nerve. I think that adds to the feeling that the wheels are coming off when he rattles on about how this is a better team as they let balls fall in all over the place and strike out or drop the shoulder and pop out like Uribe.

Since Im outta state, theres a chance my mlb.tv gets the Detroit feed.

Dont get me started on those two morons they got doing the games in the motor city. Ive been watching a lot of their games scouting the enemy, and the black guy they got over there is unbearable. Then theres the incognito homerism. They spin the figures like its Fox news. I hate those guys...

hey awhile back on here you posted the record with the starters, 1 sub, 2 subs, etc. Are they still undefeated starting all the 'regulars'?

by EricGthee23 on Jun 5, 2006 9:01 PM CDT reply actions

i've

been wondering about nomo. he completely lost it 2004 and didn't get it back for the rays last year. i don't know if he's got much mileage left in that arm - he could be better used as trade bait to a team looking for a starter - but i wouldn't mind seeing him in our pen. maybe having iguchi around would be helpful.

and i'm looking forward to the series, as well. the only silver lining to our play is that detroit hasn't done much better. this is a big test; we need to win the series, at the very least.

by larry on Jun 5, 2006 9:17 PM CDT up reply actions

probably one of the reasons i've been wondering

is that nomo has made one start for three innings of work. and that was at least a month ago. he still on charlotte's roster but i can't find anything about why he hasn't pitched more.

by larry on Jun 5, 2006 10:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Hmm...

Maybe I'm alone in saying this, but I sort of like the Tiger guys. They got just enough "fan" in them so that they aren't dry, but they're objective enough to call it like it is. They also seem to have a nice chemistry together.

I'd take 'em over Hawk and DJ, that's for sure.

by CWSKeith on Jun 6, 2006 1:36 AM CDT up reply actions

Love the tigers crew

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Jun 6, 2006 1:48 AM CDT up reply actions

I like them a lot, too

They gave Rowand a lot of love when he played for the Sox...

by hitlesswonder on Jun 6, 2006 7:56 AM CDT up reply actions

Losing to pitchers the first time seen

Their young guys scare me a bit since the Sox seem to have a knack for losing to kids they see for the first time........

EricGthee,
I agree with this statement completely. For the last 4-5 years, everytime I see a kid who is making one of their first career starts, I cringe.

I would like to see some stats on something like this, but the ChiSox seem to lose more games like this than anybody else in the league. Maybe it seems this way because we all pay more attention to the Sox games than others, but I feel we always end up making a young kid look like the next Cy Young winner.

teejay

by teejay on Jun 6, 2006 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions

I'm not running away

or hiding. One thing that has not been talked about is last year we had Crede way at the bottom of the lineup. I liked having him at 7 or 8. This dead spot in the lineup needs to be broken up. Maybe put Gooch down there and put Uribe in the 2 hole. Three bad hitters in a row is not working.

Comonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn You White Sox!

by zokmaad on Jun 5, 2006 9:40 PM CDT reply actions

thome

jim hit ball. jim hit ball far. jim need players on base when jim hit ball far. juan not on base.

by larry on Jun 5, 2006 9:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Pods gets on base.

Maybe Juan gets lucky. Gets hit by pitch. Maybe AJ crazy glue's his bat to his shoulder.

Comonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn You White Sox!

by zokmaad on Jun 5, 2006 9:55 PM CDT up reply actions

lol

i don't mind the idea - juan is going to get hot, though. he always does. the fiddling i might do with the lineup was suggested over on whalen's blog at the daily southtown: start BA, put him in the 8th spot, move juan up, and put someone with a bit better bat (AJ, crede, whatever ozzie decides to start from group 4) behind BA. probably a pipe dream, though.

http://blogs.dailysouthtown.com/whalen/

by larry on Jun 5, 2006 10:29 PM CDT up reply actions