One Foot On The Bandwagon
by The Cheat on Jun 7, 2008 10:25 PM CDT
in White Sox Game Recaps
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PrintAny way you slice it, the White Sox playoff hopes look pretty good right now. I don't know if I would go as high as the 60-80% in the linked simulations, but they clearly--in its most non-sarcastic form--have the best chance of anyone in the division to make the playoffs.
They stretched their division lead to 4.5 with a resounding victory over the Twins on Saturday, reaching a high water mark of 9 games over .500. The Tigers and Indians, who sit 7.5 and 10 games back, respectively, as I type, each lost a starting pitcher for the year (and part of next). I could go on, but I'll just link to Scott Long's notes instead.
Pre-season, I thought the Sox would be better, a better than .500 club, but far behind the two suspected powerhouses of the division. I don't know if anyone, well anyone not wearing SouljaBoi's most rose colored glasses, could have predicted the complete ineptitude of the supposed Big Two in the division.
The Sox have generally played well this season, and the rest of their division currently a combined 31 games below .500, yet I only have one foot on the bandwagon. They haven't hit well, though tonight is not exactly the best night to write that, and they are one of the shallowest playoff hopeful teams in all of baseball. They'll need to remain extraordinarily healthy to keep the division safely at bay. The next 11 games, however, provide the Sox an opportunity to really put some distance between themselves and the rest of the Central.
Saturday's victory over the Twins knocked them down to a .500 record, which means the Sox don't face an above .500 team until the Cubs series in two weeks. They have 9 games against the Tigers (11 games under), Rockies (14 games under) and Pirates (4 games under), against whom they can hopefully build a nice working margin on the division. If they can really run off a nice string of games--I'm thinking 8-3--I'll put that second foot squarely on the bandwagon.
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Get the other foot ready.
Sox have played .500 on the road, have outscored opponents +54 and are 4th in the AL in OPS—3 points behind the vaunted Yankees.
The pitching staff has been lucky, but has the periphereals to back most of it up.
Blowout wins like the last 2 nights against a division opponent (as shitty as the division looks) mean good things going forward when backed up with all the other evidence that say this team is quite likely for real.
The surprises (good work KW) of the Missile, Q, Danks and Floyd are fueling the club.
Joe Crede is making me eat my words...
and I am loving every bite. He looks like he wants to go to the All-Star Game this year along with Quentin.
Ah hah, there you are.
Seems like just yesterday….........................!
Welcome to the AZ SnakePit, the SB Nation blog about the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The first rule of SnakePit is – you do not talk about Carlos Quentin.
The second rule of SnakePit is – you DO NOT talk about Carlos Quentin.
0-fer
I was at the park tonight. Great game. Hopefully Q can get it back though.
Picked up my TCQ shirt as well.
And the bench wouldn't look so bad...
if they dumped Ozuna for Fields…
Fields
Uribe
Anderson
Hall
Definitely wouldn’t be the worst bench in baseball.
The bench isn't the worst in baseball
That’s not what I said. I said the Sox had a shallow talent pool beyond the starters. There’s no real way to argue that. Fields is the only replacement waiting in the wings should someone go down.
AIM: SouthSideCheat
There are still options out there in case injuries occur...
Obviously, Fields at 3B/DH. Uribe, Richar, and Getz at SS/2B. Also, Lofton is still out there if we lose an outfielder. I think you said it before but catcher is the one position we definitely cannot afford to sustain an injury to.
The depth is aligned behind the old people.
Fields, as you mention. Also, Swisher and BA actually make for a decent replacement duo. BA looks like he could OPS .700 if he were playing every day and Swish can obviously manage a corner offensively. That’s probably better than most teams could do if they lost a corner OPSing .850 or so.
dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.
Another bench option...
Nationals released outfielder Rob Mackowiak.
Garrett Mock will be called up to start Sunday, filling the open roster spot. Mackowiak, who was given a $1.5 million contract in December, was 7-for-57 with one homer and four RBI this season. He’ll eventually land on another team’s bench.
Absolutely
He misses his hometown team – he’d perk right up with all the Polskies in Chicago. Kielbasa, pierogies, kapuska (sp?) fattens his ass up and raises his SLG/OPS.
I took the "under".
Nope...
despite Mackowiak’s horrible season thus far, he was a pretty good bench bat in a White Sox uniform. Ozzie playing him in CF skewed opinions on him.
2006: .290 / .365 / .404 / .769
2007: .278 / .354 / .418 / .772
He’s a much better bench bat than Ozuna and it isn’t even close.
Unless...
...Mackowiak’s last two half-seasons are what’s real. Pablo can OPS under .500 just fine.
Never trust a big butt and a smile.
Sox Machine
Yup.
Just raising the idea that it might be possible, and they might have some information on Mack that we don’t.
Never trust a big butt and a smile.
Sox Machine
one would normally weigh the most recent performances the most
and his second half last year was bad and he’s been bad so far this year.
it's time to accept that we're powerless when it comes to the white sox and turn ourselves over to a higher power: KW
let me point you to
http://www.sarcasmdetector.com/product.html
it's time to accept that we're powerless when it comes to the white sox and turn ourselves over to a higher power: KW
Speaking of Polskies...
Go Polska! in today’s Euro matchup against the hated Germans. Apparently there were arrests made earlier and they’ve had to beef up the police for that match specifically.
Seriously
we may be thin.. but Fields, Uribe and BA are all worthy of starting in the major leagues. We’re not that thin.
by Grinder in Training on Jun 8, 2008 2:03 AM CDT up reply actions
Uribe's not thin at all
Show mercy. I get to watch the Rangers.
by Tim from Texas on Jun 8, 2008 7:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Buehrle says “Suck it, Royals”
“Four and a half up, we’re not going to say we won the division,” Buehrle said.“There are three quality teams when we go in a slump, which is going to happen, and they can catch up in a week.”
AIM: SouthSideCheat
When was the last time you had to respect the Royals?
dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.
He does have a point
but we do have another 15 games against them – wouldn’t get all cocky yet.
I took the "under".
At the very least
I have really enjoyed watching this team play this year. This isn’t last year where i would watch with the expectation of losing. I get to watch outstanding pitching almost every night which is a joy by itself. Also, watching the offense at the very least is intriguing for me. You never know who will step up with a good hitting night. So, it gives me reason to watch every half inning.
I feel like the three seasons since the World Series work with this analogy: You go out drinking one night and meet this girl who looks really attractive. In the morning when you wake up next to her, you take one look and want to rip your eyeballs out because she got disgusting once the booze wore off (2006). However, you keep trying to get her to leave, but the chick just wants to hang out at your place and talk and try to re-kindle the fire from the night before. At the same time, the only fire you’re feeling is on your nuts because you’re afraid she gave you the clap or some other lovely disease (2007). Once she finally leaves, you clean up, shower and get dressed for the day. You go out to run some errands during the day and strike up a conversation with a pretty girl. Not a 10 by any means, but a nice 8 or 8.5 that is attractive and you want to get to know better and see some more (2008).
Only guys with big salaries like me can afford a hat like that... HEY I'm a guy like me!
2008 got some ugly to her
but not that much.
dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.
i believe this is what's known as pushing the "white sox = a chick" analogy too far.
They're gonna give daddy the Rain Man suite, you dig that?
With you.
Welcome to the AZ SnakePit, the SB Nation blog about the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The first rule of SnakePit is – you do not talk about Carlos Quentin.
The second rule of SnakePit is – you DO NOT talk about Carlos Quentin.
From the espn recap:
During a session in the batting cage, hitting coach Greg Walker told Crede to separate his hands from his body. And the advice just made sense.“You go with it,” Crede said. “I was definitely in a slump in May and you’re searching for different things and different batting stances and Walk came to me just in the cage and says one simple thing. And it’s been able to help me change my hitting stance and hitting outlook all together.”
Only guys with big salaries like me can afford a hat like that... HEY I'm a guy like me!
That's one!
dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.
it only takes one? or does that not apply in this situation?
They're gonna give daddy the Rain Man suite, you dig that?
It's pretty clear
that the players like Walker as much as the fan’s hate him.
by Grinder in Training on Jun 8, 2008 2:04 AM CDT up reply actions
Stick to the quotes.
You ramble a little when it’s original thinking.
Welcome to the AZ SnakePit, the SB Nation blog about the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The first rule of SnakePit is – you do not talk about Carlos Quentin.
The second rule of SnakePit is – you DO NOT talk about Carlos Quentin.
that's exactly why i majored in math
Only guys with big salaries like me can afford a hat like that... HEY I'm a guy like me!
by whitesoxmatt on Jun 8, 2008 11:10 AM CDT up reply actions
"that's exactly why i majored in math"
Me too.
Welcome to the AZ SnakePit, the SB Nation blog about the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The first rule of SnakePit is – you do not talk about Carlos Quentin.
The second rule of SnakePit is – you DO NOT talk about Carlos Quentin.
And best record in baseball...well tied with those loveable Cubbies
Were the Angels supposed to be this good? Actually, I can see it, I’m just more surprised about Seattle’s horrible season.
Rusty Longley v 2.0
by Ozzie Montana on Jun 8, 2008 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions
they aren't. their third order win pct is below .500
dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.
Both feet should be firmly on the bandwagon
This is a good team and the one question most havent been able to answer is why Cleveland, Detroit or Minnesota would pass them in the standings besides preseason expectations. Things change.
The team is shallow as Cheat points out but health issues are not the overriding fear right now because of Crede and Quentin. It was written and pretty much agreed the Sox couldnt win if Konerko, Thome or Dye went down for the season. How many really believe that now?
Look at the rest of the AL. This team should make the playoffs and has a chance to get to the World Series.
Best starting pitching in division
Best bullpen in division
Best defense in division
Top 2-3 offense in division
What is anyone waiting for?
Id like to applaud Kenny. He was absolutely right not to fold it in and go for it this year.
The SSS motto should be the answer to "What is our deepest fear?". Or maybe just Prozac.
Now that the bandwagon is getting crowded
you KNOW today is a perfect day for getting blown out. (45+ years of fandom does that to a person). I agree with Tdogg’s sentiment and logic but cannot change the sig yet.
But KW is a lot smarter than me – and all of you, too. Give him props.
I took the "under".
Under
75, 76, 77 or whatever it was?
Cut your losses, WU.
Welcome to the AZ SnakePit, the SB Nation blog about the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The first rule of SnakePit is – you do not talk about Carlos Quentin.
The second rule of SnakePit is – you DO NOT talk about Carlos Quentin.
Like I said,
Cut your losses.
It takes a brave man to admit a grave mistake.
Welcome to the AZ SnakePit, the SB Nation blog about the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The first rule of SnakePit is – you do not talk about Carlos Quentin.
The second rule of SnakePit is – you DO NOT talk about Carlos Quentin.
I'm with WU...
IF they win today, I’ll rest easier knowing the worst they end the series is 4 1/2 games up (from the 2 1/2 they started with). If they lose today and tomorrow, I suppose you could be happy that they took 2 games off the schedule, but…
When she farts, a little rainbow comes out...
I'd like to pulverize the Twinkies today...
...I think it’d drive them into a serious depression, realizing that the Sox will no longer be a cure for what ails them. And the fact that we don’t have an automatic loss because of a Santana start is just damn fine.
Three wins in a row,
each scoring 10+ runs or more. Would remind me of last August when the Red Sox came to town and beat us 4 straight:
11 – 3
10 – 1
14 – 2
11 – 1
Very, very embarrassing IIRC.
Welcome to the AZ SnakePit, the SB Nation blog about the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The first rule of SnakePit is – you do not talk about Carlos Quentin.
The second rule of SnakePit is – you DO NOT talk about Carlos Quentin.
Luckily for us
The season was an embarrassment long before that series. If the Sox can pulverize the Twins today, they can send them on a shame spiral in June.
Rusty Longley v 2.0
by Ozzie Montana on Jun 8, 2008 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions
At the Sunday game,
I put a large brown paper bag over my head and walked around the concourse 3 times.
Felt good to vent.
Welcome to the AZ SnakePit, the SB Nation blog about the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The first rule of SnakePit is – you do not talk about Carlos Quentin.
The second rule of SnakePit is – you DO NOT talk about Carlos Quentin.
The last time the Sox won 3 in a row scoring 10/game
was in July of 2000. The opposing starters for those games were D. Kyle, Jon Snyder, and Jason Bere.
AIM: SouthSideCheat
The Bakersfield Californian
with yet another White Sox scoop.
Your move, Shreveport Evening Standard.
by The Actual El Guapo on Jun 8, 2008 11:50 AM CDT up reply actions
Crede Looking Good Amongst 3rd Basemen For An All Star Spot
Obviously A-Rod is going to get the start, but I think it’s safe to say that if Joe keeps his hot streak going, he’ll be spending July 15th in New York.
What type of free agent will Crede be at the end of this year?
by Grinder in Training on Jun 8, 2008 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions
Very important question.
Men?
Welcome to the AZ SnakePit, the SB Nation blog about the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The first rule of SnakePit is – you do not talk about Carlos Quentin.
The second rule of SnakePit is – you DO NOT talk about Carlos Quentin.
the answer has not and will not change. he didn’t play much or well last year. he’s a B, at best.
it's time to accept that we're powerless when it comes to the white sox and turn ourselves over to a higher power: KW
Even with a 1.000+ OPS?
NOTHING (underlined, in red) can upgrade him to an A?
Welcome to the AZ SnakePit, the SB Nation blog about the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The first rule of SnakePit is – you do not talk about Carlos Quentin.
The second rule of SnakePit is – you DO NOT talk about Carlos Quentin.
the deaths of about fifteen players ahead of him would probably get it done.
it's time to accept that we're powerless when it comes to the white sox and turn ourselves over to a higher power: KW
If Hillary can hope..........
Welcome to the AZ SnakePit, the SB Nation blog about the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The first rule of SnakePit is – you do not talk about Carlos Quentin.
The second rule of SnakePit is – you DO NOT talk about Carlos Quentin.
I'm on the bandwagon
It’s strange, but all season I’ve been surprised and waiting for it to all turn around negatively. Whenever it looks like it might happen, they start winning again. Either way it’s pretty fun right now.
everybody loves the greg walker story
“White Sox hitting coach Greg Walker was so irate that manager Ozzie Guillen suggested he might fired during a post-game tirade that he had to be talked out of resigning by owner Jerry Reinsdorf.”
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=7634
it’s time to let him go, jer.
it's time to accept that we're powerless when it comes to the white sox and turn ourselves over to a higher power: KW
oh, and where are all those people who wanted willy taveras for CF?
“Scott Podsednik is close to supplanting Willy Taveras as the Rockies’ starting center fielder”
sheesh. you know it’s bad when pods and his below replacement level performance is going to replace you and your even more below.
it's time to accept that we're powerless when it comes to the white sox and turn ourselves over to a higher power: KW
The only people who wanted Willy T. from what I can remember...
Are people who wanted Kenny to trade Garland two offseasons ago to the Astros for Hirsh, Buchholz, and Willy T.
bad memory then
it's time to accept that we're powerless when it comes to the white sox and turn ourselves over to a higher power: KW
I could be wrong...
but the Astros being interested in trading for Garland two offseasons ago is the last time I remember anyone being somewhat accept of acquiring Willy T. And most people wanted to make the trade mainly for Hirsh. But Kenny was rumored to want Hunter Pence in the deal as well, lol.
you know, there is this thing called "search"
when someone tells you you’re mistaken, one would normally take a look before continuing to hang on to their belief.
it's time to accept that we're powerless when it comes to the white sox and turn ourselves over to a higher power: KW
Gotta subscribe to get the details?
My pension won’t allow it. $5/month is one more gallon of gas I can waste.
But perhaps Walkie’s just one of the guys, and the thought of losing their buddy has spurred on the players who ultimately save (or lose) his job for him. They are 5-0 since the tirade, smacking the shit out of the ball.
I took the "under".
there are no details. that's it.
i don’t tease with white sox news/notes unless it’s a fifteen paragraph article or something.
it's time to accept that we're powerless when it comes to the white sox and turn ourselves over to a higher power: KW
keep going
it's time to accept that we're powerless when it comes to the white sox and turn ourselves over to a higher power: KW
thank god we're playing the twins now
juan rincon to be DFAed soon?
http://www.twincities.com/twins/ci_9516487?nclick_check=1
at least he understands the business: “Whatever they do, if they put me on waivers or trade me, it’s not going to catch me by surprise. They have very good guys on the team; they have very good guys in the minors that are way cheaper than me.”
ah, to have a minor league system.
it's time to accept that we're powerless when it comes to the white sox and turn ourselves over to a higher power: KW
Minor League System??
What is this Minor League System you speak of?
"I'll bring the awesome." -The 'Swish'
reifert goes FJM on the trib
Hmmm …
So after decisively winning our fifth straight game to improve to nine games over .500 and build a 4 1/2-game lead over our nearest pursuer (Minnesota), what does today’s Chicago Tribune report as the lede to the story about our 11-2 victory:
“They may have the worst winning percentage of any team leading a division, but the White Sox have a bigger lead than the best, the Cubs.”
OK, allow me to go FireJoeMorgan on this for a second.
“They may have the worst winning percentage of any team leading a division …”
This is just factually untrue. We don’t. The White Sox are 35-26 (.574), while Arizona, the division leader in the National League West, is 34-28 (.548).
” ... but the White Sox have a bigger lead than the best, the Cubs.”
Well, we actually have bigger leads than five other division leaders: Boston (1/2), Philadelphia (3 1/2), the Cubs (2 1/2) and Arizona (4), but it’s the Cubs reference that gets me. What makes them the best? Is it subjective or objective, because if you read today’s standings objectively, you’d see that the Angels and Cubs enter today’s game with the exact same record, 39-24 (.619), and LA tops its division by 5 1/2 games.
In the end, not really that big a deal, but where o’ where are the fact checkers?
[larry: it’s nice to see that people in the business realize how fucking dumb and lazy these guys are]
it's time to accept that we're powerless when it comes to the white sox and turn ourselves over to a higher power: KW
i've been pointing out the trib's sox headlines to friends and family for years.
not only do they frequently give terribly back-handed compliments in the headlines, but their headline writer doesn’t mind giving a story a title that has very little to do with the actual text. good times! i actually stopped reading the trib because of this mind-numbing stupidity. as bad as the many chicago sportswriters typically are, they pale when compared to the trib headline writer and his apparent agenda.
They're gonna give daddy the Rain Man suite, you dig that?
Cheat
Thank you for the acknowledgment.
"I would rather have a battalion of German soldiers in front of me than a platoon of French soldiers behind me."
by Where Triples Go to Die on Jun 8, 2008 5:08 PM CDT reply actions
Two Feet On
Lead the AL in run differential. Tough to argue with that.
you might want to adjust for relevant factors, like schedule strength and underlying performance
but in general, it’s a good indicator.
dude, that was totally not swish you saw on rush street last night. swish was at home playing xbox.
pukes!
ON THE RECORD with White Sox third baseman Joe Credehttp://www.suntimes.com/sports/sundaydrive/995275,CST-SPT-drive08.articleQ: Who is the one non-White Sox player you would pay to watch?
A: Lance Berkman pops into my head because he’s so mechanically sound, but do you know whom I loved to watch hit? Darin Erstad. That guy was awesome. What a great guy. We used to locker next to each other. Getting a chance to play with him was awesome. Seeing his daily routine and playing with him every day, I just laugh. He’s just a great guy the way he goes about his business. I’ve never seen anybody so intense, but yet he was just a great person. He has a lot of great stories and is very knowledgeable about the game. He was a guy I liked to come to the field and hang out with and talk to.
The greatest trick the White Sox ever pulled was convincing their fan base that "Ozzieball" ever existed.
Crede re: Erstad:
Awesome. Great. Funny. Entertaining. Insightful.
Sounds like a magazine. Or Oprah.
CWS: Slashing negative expectations since May, 2008.
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