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Floyd Flops, Sox Drop

The White Sox had a pretty good opening series to their 10-game road trip, but a poor showing by nearly everyone on the team in an eminently winnable game turned what could have been a great start into just 'pretty good.'

Gavin Floyd was terrible. He might not have finished with the worst final pitching line of Sox starters on the young season, but he had the worst looking outing. He had nothing. According to Gameday, the fastball was a couple tics slower than his near no-no, and the control was nowhere to be found. I'm not willing to draw any conclusion from this outing other than he better pitch better next time out, but I'll definitely be watching his next start more closely.

Floyd had gone 12 consecutive starts without looking like doody. And if that's as often as we have to see the Philly Gavin, well, the Sox have found something better than a 5th starter.

Miguel Batista was just as bad as Floyd, but the Sox offense never made him pay for the parade of baserunners he allowed. They plated 2 against him in the first inning, but as became a theme for the game, they left a runner in scoring position. They had stranded 6 baserunners by the end of the 3rd inning, and 11 by the end of 6th, at which point the Sox offense called it a day. The M's bullpen shut the offense down to the tune of just 3 baserunners in 3+ innings, including one intentional walk.

All those wasted baserunners, the blown 2-0 early lead, the lack of an offensive attack against the M's bullpen combined to leave a sour taste in my mouth after what looked to be a possible sweep and a promising start to the road trip.

* * * * *

I'm already worried about Ehren Wassermann. The side-arming groundball machine has been unable to keep the ball down, and generally featured very poor control while pitching in place of the recently demoted Mike MacDougal. Maybe it's the curse of MacDougal, whomever replaces MacDougal on the roster is doomed to pitch just like him.

I was always a little bit concerned about the long-term viability of Wasserman's funky delivery and less than spectacular stuff. His recent troubles finding the sweet spot at the bottom of the zone only amplifies that concern.

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I can't verify this yet

but I suspect Gavin’s curveball is particularly good at inducing weak contact and it’s at least partly responsible for manufacturing “luck” (i.e. key outs)

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

by colintj on May 12, 2008 12:16 AM CDT reply reply   0 recs

Your Chicago White Sox:

Avoiding the Sunday Sweep since 2004!

"Lipstick traces on cigarettes can get you in trouble or remind you of the wonders of the night before."

by Chiburb on May 12, 2008 6:14 AM CDT reply reply   0 recs

Sounds like the Cubs...

are going to sign Jimmy Eyeliner to replace Felix Pie and Reed Johnson in CF…

New face coming?

Could the Cubs be interested in signing center fielder Jim Edmonds, just released by the Padres after hitting .178 and struggling in the field? They are exploring the possibility, according to some in the know.

Manager Lou Piniella long has desired another left-handed bat to go with Kosuke Fukudome. Felix Pie has been unreliable. Signing Edmonds could allow the Cubs to send Pie to Triple-A Iowa for steady work.

Asked about the possibility of a left-handed bat being added, Piniella said, “We’ll just have to see what happens.”

by SSH2005 on May 12, 2008 9:08 AM CDT reply reply   0 recs

Would anybody with access care to summarize?

ESPN – Buehrle having problems late in games

"I got the shotgun. You got the briefcase. It's all in the game though, right? "

by onlysoxfaninboston on May 12, 2008 9:38 AM CDT reply reply   0 recs

Buehrle after the 5th inning

Opening Day ‘07 to contract signing: batting average against .252 (33-for-131); slugging percentage against .374 (49-for-131); walk percentage 2.9

Contract signing to present: batting average against .391 (52-for-133); slugging percentage against .579 (77-for-133); walk percentage 8.6 percent

Buehrle’s biggest issue late in games has been his fastball to right-handed hitters. Before he signed his deal last year, Buehrle held right-handers to a .196 (10-for-51) average, with 26 percent of their at-bats from the sixth inning on against Buehrle’s fastball ending in a strikeout. Since then, however, they’ve batted .420 (21-for-50) and struck out only 10 percent of the time against his fastball in those later innings.

by Ryno on May 12, 2008 9:46 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

This was addressed in a post or two last week.

Cherry-picking samples. He’s also had stretches like this in ‘03 and ‘06.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 12, 2008 10:10 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Wassermann...

reminds me a lot of Shingo Takatsu, and it’s not just the delivery. I always have the feeling that it’s only a matter of time before opposing hitters figure him out.

I really am rooting for him, but I think he might be a AAAA pitcher at best.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on May 12, 2008 10:45 AM CDT reply reply   0 recs

Replace the gong with a toilet flushing.

"Walkie, you're doing a heck of a job."

by thecip on May 12, 2008 10:58 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

his delivery

leaves him walking a razor-thin line. I have no idea how that guy throws anything for a strike. I figured over the years, he got it as repeatable as possible. But if anything’s out of whack, its going to show up in his command.

Project for Coop!

Mosi Tatupu! Mosi Tatupu!

by Nordhagen on May 12, 2008 11:13 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Right now...

it just looks like he’s flipping it up there.

I use the term “batting practice” a lot, but it literally looks like that’s what Wassermann’s doing. The only pitches he can throw for strikes have absolutely nothing on them. He’s already given up more hits than MacDougal has, and he’s only faced half as many hitters.

Luckily, he’s the last guy out of the pen right now. He’s far from the biggest problem this team has.

by The Jerry Royster Experience on May 12, 2008 11:18 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Anybody seen or heard from Bhoov?

Can’t remember seeing a post in a while, and am interested in his take on this team.

"Lipstick traces on cigarettes can get you in trouble or remind you of the wonders of the night before."

by Chiburb on May 12, 2008 11:13 AM CDT reply reply   0 recs

clearly, he's off finally doing some research.

Repeat after me: reading comprehension, even a little bit of thought before posting, and basic research are not signs of weakness.

by Toonderstrook on May 12, 2008 11:27 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

certainly about time...

"Lipstick traces on cigarettes can get you in trouble or remind you of the wonders of the night before."

by Chiburb on May 12, 2008 11:45 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

no doubt he needs to do so

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 12, 2008 12:21 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

I'm here

Still checking in every day. Just don’t have a whole lot to say. The various arbiters of the board have been doing such a quick, effective and increasingly sarcastic (which I like) job shooting down the BS that I’ve seen no need to post.

I did vote on the least likely to sustain pitcher poll. I have/had the least confidence in Gavin Floyd. As has been mentioned, he has no peripheral statistical support for what he’s doing. Contreras and Danks have both significantly increased their GB%. Whether that is sustainable or not i don’t know, but at least they have a pathway to continue their present performances. Floyd has to greatly improve some aspect of his peripherals to continue to have a modicum of success. I’d be ecstatic with an ERA of 5 from here on out for Floyd.

by bhoov on May 12, 2008 11:58 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

looks like wu is at it again...

http://www.local6.com/news/16235301/detail.html

Repeat after me: reading comprehension, even a little bit of thought before posting, and basic research are not signs of weakness.

by Toonderstrook on May 12, 2008 11:49 AM CDT reply reply   0 recs

c'mon wu, it's time to at least take a look at switching to a tankini

i wish someone had told me that sportsnation had replaced rationality with caps lock.

by MarketMaker on May 12, 2008 11:53 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

that is tremendous

and plans to sue.

“Dear corksuckers. You have violated my fargin rights.”

Mosi Tatupu! Mosi Tatupu!

by Nordhagen on May 12, 2008 11:54 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

did you mean...

corksoakers?

i wish someone had told me that sportsnation had replaced rationality with caps lock.

by MarketMaker on May 12, 2008 11:59 AM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Yep, freshly out of the joint

and in need of a good attorney. Know anyone who fits the bill, Toonder?

PS Tick, tick, tick re: test results. Are they in yet? Are you legal in CA, couselor?

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 12, 2008 12:29 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

nothing yet.

recognize this gem? “Keep workin’ on the GED – you’ll get there, perhaps the day you are paroled.”

"For those that don't understand stats... that ops is horrifying."

by Toonderstrook on May 12, 2008 12:33 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

it's your work. halloween '07.

"For those that don't understand stats... that ops is horrifying."

by Toonderstrook on May 12, 2008 12:56 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Man, I must've been so blitzed that night

after sacrificing the cats and goats to the Lord of the Netherworld.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 12, 2008 1:04 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

i think it was a prescient comment.

"For those that don't understand stats... that ops is horrifying."

by Toonderstrook on May 12, 2008 1:05 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

uribe - cabrera deathmatch tightens

i know all you loosers out there are following batting average in this fight. but the cool kids (not you SSH) are obviously using EqA. cabrera’s at .202. uribe’s at .201. and joe cowley twit(ters): Four hits from Orlando Cabrera match a career-high. Have the Sox found their new lead-off hitter?

by larry on May 12, 2008 12:10 PM CDT reply reply   0 recs

They're less worse than average than before!

(i think that is probably horrible english but oh well)

It is better to be thought of as a fool, rather than open your mouth to remove all doubt

by whitesoxmatt on May 12, 2008 12:16 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

NOT KNOWING GRAMMER AND SPEELING AND STUFF MEANS YOU GOT LAID.

Keep workin' on the GED - you'll get there, perhaps the day you are paroled.

by Toonderstrook on May 12, 2008 12:21 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

CLEARLY

ALL MATH SECONDARY ED MAJORS GET THE MOST TAIL IN COLLEGE

It is better to be thought of as a fool, rather than open your mouth to remove all doubt

by whitesoxmatt on May 12, 2008 12:24 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

is there any other way?

It is better to be thought of as a fool, rather than open your mouth to remove all doubt

by whitesoxmatt on May 12, 2008 12:31 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

SORRY TO B REDUNUNT

BUTT IT CONFERMS WHUT I THOT.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 12, 2008 12:32 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

The last week.

Uribe – .304/.407/.478

Cabrera – .280/.308/.320

Put Uribe in the #1 spot. He’s got it all – OBP, baserunning, the entire package.

A Sizemore / Granderson clone.

Pitching and defense.

by ballyb on May 12, 2008 12:42 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

signing ray king blew new life to juan!

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 12, 2008 12:47 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Post game. They text each other about

what they’re shoveling down their respective gullets.

Pitching and defense.

by ballyb on May 12, 2008 12:52 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Do you mean George Sr. or

one of his five sons, George Jr., George III, George IV, George V, and George VI?

Pitching and defense.

by ballyb on May 12, 2008 1:00 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Where's MarketMaker when you need a rim shot?

Probably effin’ up another arbitrage situation.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 12, 2008 1:05 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

ba-zing!

i wish someone had told me that sportsnation had replaced rationality with caps lock.

by MarketMaker on May 12, 2008 4:36 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

is chris deluca carlos delgado's agent?

http://www.nj.com/mets/index.ssf/2008/05/breaking_news_delgados_agent_i.html

The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.

by The Wizard on May 12, 2008 1:25 PM CDT reply reply   0 recs

what a couple of girls

they have nowhere near the rapist’s wit that we all have…

Mosi Tatupu! Mosi Tatupu!

by Nordhagen on May 12, 2008 1:31 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

no, "the rapists." as in, i'll take "the rapists" for $200, alex.

"For those that don't understand stats... that ops is horrifying."

by Toonderstrook on May 12, 2008 2:53 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Absolutely

Jeez, lar. Didn’t just fall off the turnip truck.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 12, 2008 2:59 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

Vulcan mind meld, my man

I thought you were omnipotent. WTF?

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 12, 2008 3:30 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

i am omnipotent.

i’m just not omniscient.

by larry on May 12, 2008 3:33 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

A chink in the armour!

(No ethnic jokes, please.)

I’ll hit the proper key next time.

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 12, 2008 3:44 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

isnt omnipotent better than omniscient?

wouldn’t you have the power to know everything then?

Mosi Tatupu! Mosi Tatupu!

by Nordhagen on May 12, 2008 3:59 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

can you create a rock

so heavy that you yourself cannot lift it?

Mosi Tatupu! Mosi Tatupu!

by Nordhagen on May 12, 2008 4:09 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs

George Carlin is very, very OLD

Nord-man, get into this century, will ya?

I took the "under".

by winningugly on May 12, 2008 7:18 PM CDT to parent up reply reply   0 recs