Swisher, Sox Offense Bring the Awesome

by The Cheat on Apr 6, 2008 11:13 PM CDT in Recaps Comment 178 comments

Nick Swisher's lead-off home run was the White Sox first since Aaron Rowand went deep off Brian Anderson in October of 2004.
The last time the Sox won a game by 11 or more runs was the 4th of July 2006.
I'm having trouble remembering the exact stat at this moment -- which is odd, because I beat it into the ground last year -- for the longest time last season the only Sox blowout victory was Buehrle's no-hitter.

In other words, the Grinder Era is dead.

The Sox were far from perfect on Sunday night; Joe Crede reprised his spring training throwing woes, Orlando Cabrera bobbled a ball at short, Carlos Quentin dropped a routine flyball, Jim Thome failed to reach base. Yet they still found a way to blow the Tigers out.

With a little help from Carlos Guillen and the Detroit bullpen the offense took an otherwise close game and made it a laugher in relatively little time. With the Sox up 3-1 in the 6th, Guillen dropped an routine throw for what would have been out two. The Sox took advantage.

Jermaine Dye doubled -- A normal runner would have scored from first, but Jon Miller noted that Paul Konerko was "digging for third."
Pierzynski got an intentional free pass to set up the DP for Quentin
Quentin quickly came through with one of his specialties, the HBP
Crede, who had one of the most misleading 4-5 performances I've ever seen, found exactly the right spot in the Tigers infield to extend the inning.
Uribe'd
Swisher drove a single back up the middle to score Quentin
Cabrera finally came through at the plate, splitting the right field gap for a bases clearing double, and the Sox lead 9-1.

In many ways, I know it's too early to get excited about the Sox play. I know it's too early to draw too many conclusions from what we've seen so far. But it's just refreshing to have 3 outfielders for a change. It's amazing what a couple extra major league hitters can do for a lineup.

It's already shaping up to be a more fun season than last year.

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Buehrle had a nice bounce-back game, too.

Lots of broken bats and double plays.

12 hits, 6 walks, 2 big innings

Even a pretty good outing from MacDougal.

Great series. I am officially getting pumped about this team.

Where does he work?

by MarketMaker on Apr 6, 2008 11:46 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

I didn't have time for a full recap... I gotta get somethin else done (a more substantial non-SSS project) before gametime tomorrow

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Apr 6, 2008 11:52 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

hahaha uribe'd

priceless cheat, priceless

by Jbasic89 on Apr 6, 2008 11:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Arrowed???

Or perhaps lathed???

A bowl of cornchips is no place for a mighty warrior!

"I'll bring the awesome." -The 'Swish'

by Hazymania on Apr 7, 2008 12:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Uribe'd

I want a t-shirt that says that...

el birdos 'gus' stole my handle!

by e-gus on Apr 7, 2008 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

some good looks in baseball

-Jenks' biker beard.
-Swisher's WWE beard
-Prince Fielder with the baggy pants, socks high look (reminds me of Babe Ruth).

what else?

MrROFL.com

by shaftr on Apr 6, 2008 11:52 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

booners terrorist beard

by Jbasic89 on Apr 6, 2008 11:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Logan?

I haven't seen it yet.

MrROFL.com

by shaftr on Apr 6, 2008 11:54 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=457429

btw its grown a bit since the time that pic was taken

by Jbasic89 on Apr 6, 2008 11:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

sorry

http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=457429

realized u couldnt click that link

by Jbasic89 on Apr 6, 2008 11:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Apr 6, 2008 11:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow

that is awesome as well.

MrROFL.com

by shaftr on Apr 7, 2008 12:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like how this lineup is playing.

What happens when Owens comes back? Is he automatically the center fielder and leadoff man? I hope we can just see how far this lineup can take us before altering anything just yet.

by circles on Apr 6, 2008 11:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

i doubt they bench three outfielders

ops-ing at 1.315, .903, and 1.014... but then again speed never slumps

by Jbasic89 on Apr 6, 2008 11:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Quentin has played him out of the lineup

Jerry may stay down (does he have options remaining? I don't even know). There aren't a whole lot of ABs to be had with Anderson and Ramirez already on the bench

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Apr 6, 2008 11:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Owens

certainly will be more valuable than Brian Anderson. Why does Anderson always look baffled by breaking balls? He swings at every slider thrown at him. Jerry at least can bunt his way onto base. Thank god we didn't get rid of Uribe... His new nick name should be Juan "Show time" Uribe. He is unbelievable, defensively at 2nd base!

by Where Triples Go to Die on Apr 7, 2008 12:01 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Uribe was on tonight.

That blazing throw to third was right on target. He doesn't seem to be sleeping on defense this year.

by circles on Apr 7, 2008 12:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I need to

see him do this all year but so far I like the fact that we have the guy with the stronger arm turning the double plays. If Uribe was playing short and OCab at 2nd I guarantee we would have not had 5 dp's let alone the assist at 3rd. Remember when dis kid on, dis kid can carry dis team.

by Where Triples Go to Die on Apr 7, 2008 12:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i was thinking the same thing while watching

he has a gun on that turn that will benefit us nicely

by The Scoper on Apr 7, 2008 12:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

His turn is pretty slow though

I wonder if it only evens out.

by Grinder in Training on Apr 7, 2008 7:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ill be really pissed

if guillen replaces quentin when owens comes back the way that quentin is playing now

by The Scoper on Apr 7, 2008 12:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do you guys like this lineup tonight for the rest of the season?

Even though it's early

by circles on Apr 7, 2008 12:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I still want Fields

but Uribe's D is growing on me.

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on Apr 7, 2008 12:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm glad I'm not a Tigers fan.

After all the hype during the offseason, they start out 0-6. I would be livid.

by chrome on Apr 6, 2008 11:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

kinda sounds like the past 100 years for the northsiders

condensed into a little one week sample but with less crying

by Jbasic89 on Apr 6, 2008 11:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

On Crede's grounder hit between 3B and SS

The first thing I thought about was how that was probably a ball Inge dives for and gets. Providing Cabrera plays ~125 games at third, the defensive downgrade has to be gigantic.

by CWSKeith on Apr 7, 2008 12:01 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

yea for sure

but the play he made on anderson's grounder was a pretty nice play

by Jbasic89 on Apr 7, 2008 12:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Inge excels towards the line and into foul territory

otherwise I think you're correct.

AIM: SouthSideCheat

by The Cheat on Apr 7, 2008 12:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did we get lucky playing a Tigers team

that is in a funk and pressing due to high expectations? or is this the way the Sox will play in '08? I know it's early.

by circles on Apr 7, 2008 12:09 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

can't it be both?

Where does he work?

by MarketMaker on Apr 7, 2008 12:13 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

signs point to yes

cuz we didnt just beat them... we destroyed them

by Jbasic89 on Apr 7, 2008 12:14 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If the Royals can sweep them,

they must be really in a funk. It's very possible that the Tigers might go through what the Sox did last year. Players having below average career numbers. They are all really playing like crap.

by circles on Apr 7, 2008 12:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i dont think its smart to discount KC

Billy Butler and Alex Gordon can rake.
Soria is a solid stopper.
Meche is actually earning that contract.

Theyre a capable bunch.

el birdos 'gus' stole my handle!

by e-gus on Apr 7, 2008 12:25 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Capable of doing what?

Capable of winning the AL central division?

by circles on Apr 7, 2008 12:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Capable of sweeping a good team

we shouldn't go "haha! the royals?!" this year.

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on Apr 7, 2008 12:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

gus...

you didn't answer me before. does your dad have front row section 157 tickets?

Just because you are a character doesn't mean you have character.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 7, 2008 12:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

tigers will be fine

when they get granderson back

by The Scoper on Apr 7, 2008 12:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

they may wish to consider acquiring some pitching, too

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico."

by larry on Apr 7, 2008 8:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

especially considering...

the pitcher which had the best performance against the Sox (as far as RA) was the one who walked 7 in 5 IP.

by CatBrains on Apr 7, 2008 10:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And a couple of other things:

http://palehose8.blogspot.com/2008/04/in-which-don-guillote-creeps-into.html

Skanberg, if I wanted to hear your opinion, I would have brainwashed you by now-
Don Guillote

by Chiburb on Apr 7, 2008 8:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Scoring runs, maybe.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 7, 2008 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It wouldn't be nuts for Detroit to have a bad season

I don't think their pitching is very good and their bullpen presently looks brutal.

Their offense has some potential reasons to struggle, too. Not that I think it's likely, but the combination of aging players, guys with injury concerns, and guys switching leagues could PERHAPS make them a mediocre offense.

That would leave them with a mediocre offense and mediocre defense. Could be a recipe for a bad season, no?

Where does he work?

by MarketMaker on Apr 7, 2008 12:48 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Dissing the Sox...

It seems to be the vogue thing, diss the Sox. I have no problem with thoughtful criticism, but just spouting crap for crap's sake is another story. Take for example the "prediction" comments by SB Nation "Bleed Cubbie Blue" on the '08 Sox:

4) CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Hitting: Unbalanced
Pitching: Pitching? Who needs pitching?
Defense: Defense? Who needs defense?
Intangibles: Watch Ozzie's head explode! First manager fired! Fun!

"The championship pennants, oh long may they wave - O'er the grounds of the Sox and the Cubs gloomy grave." - 1906 Chicago Daily News as quoted in The Cubs: The Complete Story of Chicago Cubs Baseball

by DrCrawdad on Apr 7, 2008 4:20 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

These are Cub fans we're talking about

Stereotypically, they're not exactly the most analytical bunch. This is the fan base that bitched about Mark Grace at first.

by madopal on Apr 7, 2008 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Grace

Brings me back to a heated arguement I had in high school with a Cubs fan who was arguing that Grace was the better first baseman over Thomas. And this wasn't some washed up Thomas, this was Big Frank circa 92-93. Poor guy was delusional.

by southsideirish on Apr 7, 2008 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

BCB is a middling blog for analysis

I'm not a big fan of "Al" the guy that writes it. I think he's much too into the sappy part of Cub's fandom (the photos and beer and revelry at Wrigley overshadowing the product on the field) and is too quick to judge his readers who demand a bit more from their club. That said, his analysis is usually fine if a bit unquestioning.

It's ironic he makes fun of Ozzie as the Cubs have personally had possibly the worst manager in baseball followed by possibly the most hot-headed. Talk about pot meet kettle.

by madvillian on Apr 7, 2008 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've made one diary/fanpost there and it was

me explaining why Mark Prior's mechanics were screwed up in that I Know Everything tone I adopt from (more than) time to time. They did not take well to it, needless to say.

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on Apr 7, 2008 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Finger in the air...

I'm not a big fan of "Al" the guy that writes it. I think he's much too into the sappy part of Cub's fandom (the photos and beer and revelry at Wrigley overshadowing the product on the field) and is too quick to judge his readers who demand a bit more from their club. That said, his analysis is usually fine if a bit unquestioning.

Right, except that Al's very much a pollyanna. In 2006, as the Cubbie ship was capsizing he was calling for calm, pointing how if they won every game remaining they'd be right back in the thick of the race. (Ok, I'm exaggerating a bit, but really, just a bit)

I generally respect Al's opinion and have enjoyed reading and participating at his blog. In fact, I've even enjoyed sitting with him several years ago at a game at The Shrine. However that was before his blog caught on, and now it's virtually overrun with MLB discussion board type morons.

I challenged Al's comments on the Sox. He never responded and left it to the mental midgets to attack me.

How can you say, "Defense: Defense? Who needs defense?" when the Sox added a 2 time Gold Glover at shortstop & have Crede returning to 3rd?

Take the Sox and Cubbies position by position, and I'd say the Sox have the defensive advantage and at best for the Cubbies their even. And if that's the case, where's Al's cynical remarks on the Cubbies defense? No where to be found.

It's ironic he makes fun of Ozzie as the Cubs have personally had possibly the worst manager in baseball followed by possibly the most hot-headed. Talk about pot meet kettle.

And Yellon was one of Dusty's biggest backers...until it became clear that he was finished with the Cubbies.

(The Sox will) be hard-pressed to win 70 games next year. - Al
Yellon, Dec. 14, 2004

2005 White Sox
* 99 wins
* First place from game 1 to 162
* 11-1 in the post-season
* WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS!

by DrCrawdad on Apr 7, 2008 8:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Still worried about the offense?

Tongue in cheek of course as its early. But thats a pretty good first week.

by Tdogg on Apr 7, 2008 6:49 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

#1 offense in the AL in runs scored

by boyonthedock on Apr 7, 2008 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

MVP of Week 1

Jerry's groin

by 3E8 on Apr 7, 2008 8:03 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Now that was funny.

by Tdogg on Apr 7, 2008 8:04 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't want to get too confident...

But they sure look like a better team then last year. Is it due to the Swisher factor? I wonder.

by Los Soxos on Apr 7, 2008 8:09 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

i'm going with the

not having so many shitty players factor.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico."

by larry on Apr 7, 2008 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Quentin is quickly becoming my favorite player...

because he is showing his true talent and also because he kept Owens on the bench, haha.

by SSH2005 on Apr 7, 2008 8:29 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm surprised I haven't heard it yet

from Hawk (or perhaps I missed it), but doesn't Quentin LOOK LIKE A BALLPLAYER? I'm actually being a little serious about this. He's strong, quicker than I thought and carries himself with a certain amount of confidence. But obviously he needs to grow some odd facial hair to complete the package.

by palehose67 on Apr 7, 2008 8:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Canseco too.

Skanberg, if I wanted to hear your opinion, I would have brainwashed you by now-
Don Guillote

by Chiburb on Apr 7, 2008 8:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

with his hair and the black uniform

and the fact that i've never seen him crack a smile, he reminds me of chigurh.

by Ryno on Apr 7, 2008 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You know how this is going to end, don't you?

Where does he work?

by MarketMaker on Apr 7, 2008 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

How about Macdougal?

He got touched up his first outing, and in his second, he still can't throw strikes--even with an 11 run lead. He looked exhausted on the mound, like he was pitching in a 3-2 ball game, not 13-2. His remaining option is looking pretty damn tempting right about now, especially with Waaserhman in the wings.

by HulkSmash on Apr 7, 2008 8:36 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

you'd be exhausted, too

if you were made to throw two innings and about 35 pitches.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico."

by larry on Apr 7, 2008 8:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Boo-hoo for Macdougal

Whose fault is it that he had to throw so many pitches?

by HulkSmash on Apr 7, 2008 8:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Um maybe the defense?

by Tdogg on Apr 7, 2008 8:49 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no, the offense

they want macdougal to be able to throw two innings. they're stretching him out. yesterday was the perfect time to do it.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico."

by larry on Apr 7, 2008 8:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

1 error,

that was followed by a 4-pitch walk to load the bases. Errors happens--deal with it.

by HulkSmash on Apr 7, 2008 8:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

he's thrown that many pitches like four times in his career

not counting starts. that's my point. you'd be tired too if you were being asked to do something that's a little outside your comfort zone.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico."

by larry on Apr 7, 2008 8:56 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The point that you're missing

is his control, which, again, he didn't have. I didn't see one batter that he faced that was impressive, even after he had to throw a whole 25+ pitches.

by HulkSmash on Apr 7, 2008 8:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

no, i'm not missing that point

he sucks. you said he was tired. i told you why. complaining about his control is like complaining about the sun shining.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico."

by larry on Apr 7, 2008 9:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He was tired

because he had no control.

by HulkSmash on Apr 7, 2008 9:02 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't need to be told why

he looks tired. I know he threw a lot of pitches--it was a mess, largely, of his own doing.

by HulkSmash on Apr 7, 2008 9:03 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i thought you did

construct your posts better if you want people to understand. like by connecting your point with your words. your post said nothing about number of pitches. your post did clearly imply that he was feeling pressure.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico."

by larry on Apr 7, 2008 9:07 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Okay Larry

I'll spell everything out in the simplest of details for you from now so you don't get your panties in a bunch.

Last night, on April the 6th, 2008, on a game nationally televised on ESPN, White Sox right handed relief pitcher (formerly of the Royals of Kansas City) Mike Macdougal threw too many balls and struggled to close a game in which the Sox led, 13-2 over the Detroit Tigers. He was erratic, showed very little control or command of the strike zone. It's a performance that has become typical of Macdougal for some time now, leading some to wonder how long he'll last on a major league roster, especially with one option to return to the minors still remaining.

Macdougal looked tired on the mound, having thrown too many pitches due to his control. He threw a total of 34 pitches on the night, 18 of which went for strikes, 16 for balls. Not a very effective ratio. By all assumptions, one could tell Macdougal was feeling pressure on the mound, not only for the game, but perhaps for the status of his career as well. He knows the predicament he's in and, after last season's performance, he realizes his tenure on the White Sox major league roster is tenuous, at best.

by HulkSmash on Apr 7, 2008 9:16 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that was kind of a waste of a post

considering i understand your point now. i'm not even going to read this. sorry for not understanding initially.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico."

by larry on Apr 7, 2008 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hulk, come off the 'roids, bro

Mac sucks, as most on this site agree. A mop-up game was the perfect time to give him the opportunity for some work. Agreed that when he worked > 1 inning last year he imploded, but the risks were small (he wasn't going to blow the game).

Besides, why argue with the guy who coined him "The Arsonist"? We're all on the same team here.

Let's bask in the glow of a 4-game win streak, 1st place, and heightened offense. We have all season to turn on each other when the going gets rough.

;)

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 7, 2008 9:38 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Mac

was just fine. No matter how bad he pitched he got the job done. what more do you want from him? Buehrle got out of about 5 jams... no one is complaining about him... Yeah he shattered some bats but he allowed way too many base runners which will kill us if he keeps doing that. I realize he pitches to contact but he had 2 walks and a ton of hits against him. He got some excellent defense out of the 2nd base position which helped him stay in the game.

by Where Triples Go to Die on Apr 7, 2008 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

really? no...really?

buehrle allowed 9 baserunners in 7 innings for a WHIP of 1.28. that would have put him in the top 20 AL starting pitchers last year. it also puts him just about even with his numbers from last year and his career (both 1.26).

Just because you are a character doesn't mean you have character.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 7, 2008 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

what about

the spectacular defense which I spoke of? You can not expect that every time. It's not that he scattered 9 base runners either... when he did allow base runners they came in bunches. Which is reason for concern mr stats.

by Where Triples Go to Die on Apr 7, 2008 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Toonder?

Your last name is Stats?

Are you a South Side Irish Stats, a Polish Stats, or one of the Ukrainian Stats?

"I'll bring the awesome." -The 'Swish'

by Hazymania on Apr 7, 2008 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

he only got it half right.

my full name is toonderstrook f. o'stats. the f is for full.

Just because you are a character doesn't mean you have character.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 7, 2008 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Either way, TDogg,

he was all over the place. No control, no consistency. It's the same performance we've seen from him--regardless of a dropped fly ball--over and over for the past year now, and it's completely ineffective.

by HulkSmash on Apr 7, 2008 8:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey man

I got no love for Mcdooky no argument from me.

by Tdogg on Apr 7, 2008 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

white sox favorites in AL central

computers don't lie.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/statistics/ps_odds.php

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico."

by larry on Apr 7, 2008 8:52 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

you crack yourself up

dont you?

by Tdogg on Apr 7, 2008 9:43 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's pretty amazing

Looking at the PECOTA adjusted report (really the only way to look at it right now) and seeing that they have the Sox at 15% to make the playoffs and the division at 10%. Meanwhile the Tigers have already fallen to 42% chance to make the playoffs.

I'll take 1/10 odds from this team on the division and 1/6 to make the postseason.

by madvillian on Apr 7, 2008 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

do we need to play the rest of the schedule? because it looks pretty convincing to me

Where does he work?

by MarketMaker on Apr 7, 2008 2:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This team seems much more confident with

Q and Swisher in the lineup. Last year, if the Sox got down early in a game, they seemed to really start pressing knowing that they had too many outs in the lineup and that the bullpen was crap.

I know it's totally impossible to quantify this, but that's the general feeling that I get when watching the games thus far.

"You might be impressed with your analysis, but I am not. Stop wasting my time." - Chris De Luca

by BoKnows on Apr 7, 2008 9:18 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

13 runs. ZERO RBIs from

Thome
Konerko
Dye

Can't be true.

'08-to-date --- 1 triple to RF against the Sox.

by ballyb on Apr 7, 2008 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

sure it can

all those guys are old and in a production freefall. ;0

jre isn't awake yet.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico."

by larry on Apr 7, 2008 9:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for filling in for me...

larry. :D

In all seriousness, it was nice to see a lot of offense last night, despite only one homer. Last year, the Sox didn't take advantage of walks and errors, and if they didn't homer, they didn't score.

There are still things about this team that I don't like, but I'll save that for another time.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 7, 2008 11:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also, I'm very encouraged by JD's hot start...

"You might be impressed with your analysis, but I am not. Stop wasting my time." - Chris De Luca

by BoKnows on Apr 7, 2008 9:44 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

More like 13 runs 1HR????

Misprint?

by Tdogg on Apr 7, 2008 9:46 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

and that happened in the first before the doors were blown off

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on Apr 7, 2008 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, it's very early. But

that feeling of dread I would have last year when Ersted or Pods stepped to the plate isn't there this year (at least right now) when Swisher and Q come up. I too don't feel like the Sox aren't instantly out of the game this year if they fall behind early. And just how great were Swisher's 6 walks over Friday and Saturday?

by palehose67 on Apr 7, 2008 9:50 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Now that feeling could return when Jesse Owens comes back.

I hope it as obvious to KW as it is to us that this team is better with Q in the lineup.

"You might be impressed with your analysis, but I am not. Stop wasting my time." - Chris De Luca

by BoKnows on Apr 7, 2008 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think that may be where the cleave in management is

KW obviously likes Q a whole lot. his intention of acquiring a CF and, when he failed in signing a true CF, his acquisition of swisher, sort of makes it clear to me that owens isn't a favorite of KW. ozzie may have different thoughts. the best way to handle this would be to just prevent ozzie from using his toy. for that to happen, i think Q needs to play well (done) and BA needs to play well (not so done). otherwise one has to think that KW will be forced to bring up owens. with the way all the outfielders look, especially swish in center, i think the need for having a defensive maven on the bench to come in is not as high as we thought it was, or at least i thought it was. i'd still prefer BA over owens, of course, but everytime BA swings through a slider it makes it harder for that argument to carry the day. a purely defensive player, no matter how good at that skill, is tough to carry in the AL, especially with a short bench.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico."

by larry on Apr 7, 2008 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Defensively, lets rank the CF options

From what I have seen so far from Swisher:

1. BA
2. Swisher
3. Owens
4. Ramirez

"You might be impressed with your analysis, but I am not. Stop wasting my time." - Chris De Luca

by BoKnows on Apr 7, 2008 10:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

On Owens

As long as Ozzie doesn't completely lose his mind there is no way we can carry Owens as anything more then a spot duty 4th outfielder is there? Quentin, Dye and Swisher are all off to great starts at the plate and are all playing passable defense as well.

If Owens comes up and is just handed a starting spot, or even a role anything more than spot starting that would seem to go against all this "earning your spot" talk about what great depth this team has. Well the depth did it's job, Quentin stepped up big time. He's earned his spot.

Owens has done nothing to earn a spot. Ozzie would have to lose his mind to play Owens now, right? Right? God, I hope.

by madvillian on Apr 7, 2008 10:11 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

the problem, of course

is that Q can't play well all the time. or at least is rather unlikely to stay consistently good the whole year. nearly everybody goes into a slump. and that will be the open door for whomever is on the bench. if jerry gets a little hot then...

but i rather doubt jerry is going to be handed an immediate spot so long as Q is producing. just pray this hot start lasts into may.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico."

by larry on Apr 7, 2008 10:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

we haven't seen Q in CF (ST maybe? not sure)

but i'd bet he's better than ramirez. that looks about right to me. i bought mr. bay area baseball expert jre's assessment that swisher wasn't an adequate CF. it's only a few games, but i'm not so sure about that. he looks like a right about average CF to me.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico."

by larry on Apr 7, 2008 10:12 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Swisher actually looks slight above average to me

I am not saying he IS, just what he has shown so far.

by CatBrains on Apr 7, 2008 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yea, I agree with you on Q in CF

Ramirez looked horrible in his two starts out there. Totally uncomfortable.

Even if Q slumps at some point, his slump wont be as bad as most because he can still get on base at a pretty good clip.

"You might be impressed with your analysis, but I am not. Stop wasting my time." - Chris De Luca

by BoKnows on Apr 7, 2008 10:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

on ramirez

i wish they'd figure out what they want him to be. utility player? everyday player? if the latter, outfield? 2B? SS? this sitting on the bench thing doesn't seem particularly helpful for any of these things, but especially if they think he will be an everyday player and even more especially if an everyday player at a position other than SS. get him to AAA now. heck, if we get bourgeois on this roster that's one less reason for owens to be here.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico."

by larry on Apr 7, 2008 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed - I wonder

if management is surprised how well Swisher has done in CF and Q has done (the pop-up excepted) in LF. (And how lost A-Ram looked in CF and how he's not exactly carried his hot ST into the regular season.)

Sure as hell someone goes down with an injury and the merry-go-round starts. A-Ram will then find AB's. Now he, Owens, and BA would only muck up the chemistry.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 7, 2008 10:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed...

We would probably be better off with Ramirez in AAA playing SS everyday and call up Bourgeois. Next season, we could then collect picks for Cabrera and stick Ramirez at SS and Richar at 2B. Time to go younger in the infield.

by SSH2005 on Apr 7, 2008 11:26 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Swisher...

has clearly worked on his game in the outfield. He looks a lot better than he did last year.

That said, I'm still not comfortable with him and Jermaine Dye next to each other in the outfield. Swisher is doing about as well as can be expected, but the Sox need a really good center fielder if they're going to insist on trotting Dye out there every day.

If the Sox had even an average defensive right fielder, I'd be totally cool with Swisher out there.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 7, 2008 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We do -- just swap Quentin and Dye...

Problem is, Ozzie won't do this.

by SSH2005 on Apr 7, 2008 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm hoping...

that Dye stays hot for a couple of months, and then agrees to waive his no-trade to go to a contender. I can think of a couple of teams that could use his bat, so if he still looks like he can hit, the Sox might be able to get something valuable back, and if the Sox could find a center fielder who can really play, they'd have an excellent offensive and defensive outfield for the next several seasons.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 7, 2008 12:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

normal jre

The hell if their competing at the time or even in 1st place. lol.

by Tdogg on Apr 7, 2008 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well...

if the Sox are still in first place in June or July, I might feel differently.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 7, 2008 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

thank you.

lol.

by Tdogg on Apr 7, 2008 12:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"Don't trust anyone over 30!"

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Apr 7, 2008 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

And less than 55.

'08-to-date --- 1 triple to RF against the Sox.

by ballyb on Apr 7, 2008 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

Skanberg, if I wanted to hear your opinion, I would have brainwashed you by now-
Don Guillote

by Chiburb on Apr 7, 2008 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

JD hasn't been exposed out there yet; he's looked like an average defender

i noted this on last night's game thread but having uribe as his relay partner will help JD, too. that should have been a triple last night. if it had been richar or tadahito or pablo relaying that throw, it would have been. but uribe's strong and accurate arm gunned santiago down. it won't totally counteract things but teams will be hesitant to go against uribe, and by extension dye, if juan keeps doing that.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico."

by larry on Apr 7, 2008 11:59 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I must say...

I've been fairly happy with Uribe thus far.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 7, 2008 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

the one thing that hasn't gone soft on JD

is his arm. so that relay is probably one of the better ones in the AL.

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on Apr 7, 2008 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

exactly

i hadn't thought about this before. but JD is probably going to be picking a lot of balls out of the corner. that play yesterday will hopefully have runners at least thinking when they approach second.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico."

by larry on Apr 7, 2008 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Uribe's range probably lets JD play deeper too

thinking about this stuff makes you realize how much defense is a team game. Oh, also, are you aware of any defensive metrics that take into account the value of the ball caught? That is to say, based on the speed, angle from the ground and direction of the batted ball, you would expect a certain outcome (a long fly ball, say, is a HR 10%, 2B 20% and an out the rest of the time) and whether or not the defender makes the play means that they've gone from an out (which you can tag an expected value to) to a man on 2B, which has it's own expected value.

Sorry if I'm being unclear.

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on Apr 7, 2008 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why not have Dye shade over closer to the line?

I know Swisher isn't exactly a speed demon patrolling center, but he seems to have at least average range. Would he be able to make up the difference if Dye wasn't so close to the gap all the time?

I don't know, just throwing something at the wall.

"I'll bring the awesome." -The 'Swish'

by Hazymania on Apr 7, 2008 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Depends

Arm? BA/Ramirez. Speed/range? BA/Owens/Ramirez. Ability to judge/catch fly balls, especially hit directly at them (in front of/over their heads)? BA/Swish/Owens.

Owens has got to be near the bottom if all skills are combined, and if you add offense he sinks like a stone.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 7, 2008 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was just ranking them on the total package.

"You might be impressed with your analysis, but I am not. Stop wasting my time." - Chris De Luca

by BoKnows on Apr 7, 2008 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Excluding offense

"You might be impressed with your analysis, but I am not. Stop wasting my time." - Chris De Luca

by BoKnows on Apr 7, 2008 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

so

I am not the only one who see's him wiff away at every slider thrown to him?

by Where Triples Go to Die on Apr 7, 2008 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Only 1,000,000 simulations?

Small sample size. Kidding of course.

Did you look at the Pecota-adjusted version? It seems the Sox still have a bit of work to do.

Skanberg, if I wanted to hear your opinion, I would have brainwashed you by now-
Don Guillote

by Chiburb on Apr 7, 2008 9:19 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Response to Larry

Skanberg, if I wanted to hear your opinion, I would have brainwashed you by now-
Don Guillote

by Chiburb on Apr 7, 2008 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

well, yeah

and the Elo, too. but let's not let contravening facts get in the way, eh?

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico."

by larry on Apr 7, 2008 9:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

at least not on Opening Day

Skanberg, if I wanted to hear your opinion, I would have brainwashed you by now-
Don Guillote

by Chiburb on Apr 7, 2008 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Grinder Era Over

Looks like we are finally getting things to the point that it can be considered a good thing

by 815Sox on Apr 7, 2008 10:01 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I posted a FanShot but I'll mention it here...

Hot Doug's is selling a Carlos Quentin Celebrity Sausage this week.

Out-underacheiving the other guy.

by defensive indifference on Apr 7, 2008 10:32 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Totally agree

I wonder what to do with Owens now

by Option27 on Apr 7, 2008 10:45 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

trade

package him with nick magic and get him the hell out of town for a minor leaguer. it doesn't even have to be a good minor leaguer, just one with options left.

by hugh on Apr 7, 2008 11:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Would make sense to me but Masset is probably untradable in Kenny's eyes after his one good outing.

by SSH2005 on Apr 7, 2008 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Lineup is out

Swisher, CF;
Cabrera, SS;
Thome, DH;
PK, 1B;
Dye, RF;
AJ, C;
Quentin, LF;
Crede, 3B;
Uribe, 2B

by Tony82087 on Apr 7, 2008 11:04 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I love that Ozzie is sticking with this lineup.

by SSH2005 on Apr 7, 2008 11:21 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it.

"You might be impressed with your analysis, but I am not. Stop wasting my time." - Chris De Luca

by BoKnows on Apr 7, 2008 11:28 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would probably...

flip Quentin and Cabrera in the lineup, but this seems to be working well for now.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 7, 2008 11:31 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So would I but Ozzie would never do this.

by SSH2005 on Apr 7, 2008 11:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

i don't mind it for now

no need to heap the pressure on Q. in a few months, though...

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico."

by larry on Apr 7, 2008 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

True, good point.

by SSH2005 on Apr 7, 2008 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

By the way...

The Sox currently have the #1 offense in the AL. Maybe Keith will win our little bet after all.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 7, 2008 11:33 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

which was?

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on Apr 7, 2008 12:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Keith bet me...

that the Sox would have an above-average offense this year.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 7, 2008 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

in the AL?

i think i would have taken that. well. depends when. probably not when i found out Fields got sent down.

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on Apr 7, 2008 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We made the bet...

after all the winter deals, but before spring training started. We both assumed that Fields would be playing at the major-league level this year.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 7, 2008 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It would depend on how I was feeling that day then

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on Apr 7, 2008 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

We're going by OPS+, right Jerry?

If so, the bet ends on April 8th, right? I'm digging that team OPS+ of 138.

by CWSKeith on Apr 7, 2008 12:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Heh.

If the team OPS+ is 138 at the end of the season, I'll gladly pay up.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 7, 2008 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Man, for just a 14% chance at the playoffs

I'm pretty geeked. 14 is a hell of a lot more than I figured on.

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on Apr 7, 2008 12:16 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

if you would

have told me that at the end of last year I would have laughed...but hey if the starters can stay healthy anything can happen

by ozziesmallballs on Apr 7, 2008 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

here's hoping!

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on Apr 7, 2008 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder if the projection

Has Quentin/Swisher/Dye as the everyday outfield.

by madvillian on Apr 7, 2008 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

it does

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico."

by larry on Apr 7, 2008 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

probably has Swisher as a not quality CF

which so far I'd say he has been. Average anyway.

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on Apr 7, 2008 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was just down at the park.

Buehrle's vehicle is clearly on display in the parking lot.

The thing is so effing big, insane.

I'll bet the owner's manual states clearly,

"Vehicle must be turned off when refueling or else tank will never fill to capacity."

Who's got a picture of this thing?

'08-to-date --- 1 triple to RF against the Sox.

by ballyb on Apr 7, 2008 1:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Mark Buehrle makes Mother Earth cry.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on Apr 7, 2008 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"You might be impressed with your analysis, but I am not. Stop wasting my time." - Chris De Luca

by BoKnows on Apr 7, 2008 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Picture doesn't do it justice. It looks twice that size in person.

'08-to-date --- 1 triple to RF against the Sox.

by ballyb on Apr 7, 2008 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Buehrle's truck

Sox Machine

by Sox Machine on Apr 7, 2008 1:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL

So it's a Transformer, too?

PS Eff you and your "over 30" comment.

;)

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 7, 2008 1:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

way to fight back, oldie hawn.

Just because you are a character doesn't mean you have character.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 7, 2008 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Someone needs to get laid

(besides me), Mr. Grumpy Gus. From railing against bad jokes, anxious performers, ticket institutions, and questionable baseball analysis you are lighting it up since last night. Hung over, are we?

PS You going to see Shine a Light? I might have to break down and see that new flick. Mick looks awesome. And Jack White is my favorite 21st century artist.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on Apr 7, 2008 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

way too much beer in the last 48 hours.

have instituted a no drinking during the week policy and it's not working out so well as of now. am rethinking it. railing all in good fun, of course. except on the "questionable" baseball analysis. i put that word in quotations because i think compared to the really solid analysts on here, mine is often questionable. i don't really rail against analysis...but the utter lack of any attached to ridiculous statements.

Just because you are a character doesn't mean you have character.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 7, 2008 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

aside from Cheat, who is a "solid analyst" here?

i'm pretty sure larry's just a Bill James inspired bot passing the Turing Test, anyway.

dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.

by colintj on Apr 7, 2008 1:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

regardless, there is a huge difference between solid analysis and questionable analysis

and questionable analysis and "if buehrle gives up as many runners as he did last night that will really cost this team."

Just because you are a character doesn't mean you have character.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 7, 2008 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

What is wrong with that?

If Buehrle is giving up a ton of base runners than it will come back and haunt him. You can not expect to get a double play everytime you have runners on 1st and 2nd.

by Where Triples Go to Die on Apr 7, 2008 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that

is probably true.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico."

by larry on Apr 7, 2008 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Which means

my post would then be considered "solid analysis".

by Where Triples Go to Die on Apr 7, 2008 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

perhaps

you should probably buttress the assetion with some evidence backing it up. such as, "4 double plays (or whatever MB induced) is an inordinately high number for seven innings of work." or, "while his WHIP yesterday was a solid 1.28, if some of those DPs had not been turned, it likely would have been much higher."

of course, one might counter that 2 errors and their resulting baserunners had an opposite effect.

"Aw, how could he lose the ball in the sun, he's from Mexico."

by larry on Apr 7, 2008 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

ok, here are all the baserunners and situations.

Bottom of the first:
1st hit: 2 out single with nobody on.

Bottom of the third:
2nd hit: 0 out double scored a run resulting from crede's error
1st walk: 2 outs, nobody on

Bottom of the fourth:
3rd hit: 0 out single with nobody on (DP then gets 2 outs with no other runners on)

Bottom of the fifth:
4th hit: 1 out infield single with nobody on (DP then gets final 2 outs with no other runners on)

Bottom of the sixth:
2nd walk: 1 out, nobody on
5th hit: 1 out, runner on first (DP then gets final 2 outs with add'l runner on)

Bottom of the seventh:
6th hit: 0 out, infield single nobody on
7th hit: 0 out, bunt single with man on first (DP then gets first two outs with add'l runner on)

Looking at all of that, Buehrle put himself in one bad spot in the game...in the 6th. Two infield hits in the seventh aren't really indicative of a guy getting hit around. Aside from those two innings, he never had more than one guy on base at a time. So the "ton of baserunners" (a) wasn't a ton compared to every other pitcher in major league baseball and (b) were spread out all over the place.

Just because you are a character doesn't mean you have character.

by Toonderstrook on Apr 7, 2008 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There's a young woman who stands next to me

on the train platform every morning. I have learned that if I nod and give a half-smile, she'll smile back and start looking through her paper. If I make the mistake of saying "good morning", however, she'll start yacking away as if I were someone who cares. And she will NOT stop until the train pulls in.
All from saying good morning...

Skanberg, if I wanted to hear your opinion, I would have brainwashed you by now-
Don Guillote

by Chiburb on Apr 7, 2008 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

An Alan Turing reference!

Wow. Wasn't the writing on this blog analyzed at one time and determined to be eighth grad level or something like that? This is raising bar. Pretty soon we'll be posting about AI search strategies...

by hitlesswonder on Apr 7, 2008 2:03 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs