Can White Sox Compete with Twins?
by The Cheat on Apr 29, 2010 9:19 AM CDT
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PrintHeading into the year, the consensus among both projection systems and experts alike was that the Twins had a superior offense to the White Sox, but the Sox projected to make it a race thanks to their pitching. The Sox bullpen has been great this season, but the starting staff has left a lot to be desired. Minnesota's staff, meanwhile, has regained a staff ace in Francisco Liriano and had no trouble replacing Joe Nathan at the backend of the bullpen.They look like a 90+ win team, while the Sox have to turn it around just to get back to .500.
My objective question to you: The Twins hold a 6 game lead on the Sox. Do the Sox cut that margin in half and climb back into the AL Central race? Are the Twins too good, do they just stay away for the year.
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I voted yes, because I'm normally a pretty optimistic guy
But my mind is saying no. Watching Thome mash last night on that low and away changeup, and seeing his 6th best OPS displayed before his at-bat, made me die a little inside. Then next inning Damon came up, who also has been on a tear. Mercy.
This is not early panic, it’s continued disgust with a situation we didn’t like to begin with. - Grinder in Training
My mind is tellin' me no...
But my booooooody is tellin’ me yeessss!
by Shoeless In SC on Apr 29, 2010 10:06 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
My body's sayin' let's go/But my heart is sayin' no… no.
Dear god, did 19 year old me enjoy that video.
"I am fat because I am lazy and drink too much." - South Side Expat
No means Yes
or at least until the mace comes out or the cops show up
Look I just want to pass my last Microsoft exam and sleep with white women.
by Tdogg on Mar 10, 2010 11:29 PM CST
by Grinder Rule #42 on Apr 29, 2010 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions
she got WAY hotter after that video
Watching this team is like jerking off 10 minutes after you just jerked off - billyok
Wow, totally disagree.
Only time I ever found her hot was in that video.
"I am fat because I am lazy and drink too much." - South Side Expat
she regressed after come on over
and dirty was just hot in general.
Watching this team is like jerking off 10 minutes after you just jerked off - billyok
I disagree too.
She started looking kinda skanky later
by Shoeless In SC on Apr 29, 2010 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions
I'll say yes because I have to in order to keep watching the games
I can always be optimistic that Kenny threatens Ozzie’s job security, and the flaming retard finally decides to move Pierre down or off the line up, stop playing Vizquel when no one is hurt, and stop letting Kotsay pitch in at DH or at all. I also have to think Peavy and MB will get back to good form. Hope … Pray …
"Quantify my balls."
- KenWo
Pretty much this.
Plus the BABIP thing.
Like drinking poison, like eating glass.
by Teahenny Penny on Apr 29, 2010 12:37 PM CDT up reply actions
I think they'll be within 3 at some point this year
but it looks like another twinkie turd sandwich kind of year. Bastards.
FUCK EVYTHING BACON RULZ WEER GONNA WIN TEH CHAMPSHIOP
...colintj, Nov8, 2009
I don't like it.
I would like to say that “everything that could go wrong has gone wrong”, but that’s a lie. Andruw Jones and Paul Konerko are both exceeding any reasonable expectation. John Danks is a golden god. Sergio fucking Santos is a stud. Teahen’s OPSing at .839.. LINEBRINK HAS A 1.13 IN 8 INNINGS.
I understand that among Peavy, Floyd, Bacon, Pierre, AJ and Quentin, at least half of them are likely to regress (or would it be "pro"gress?) to the mean. But what about Paul’s eventual slump, Jones’ return to earth, etc.? We already got the One Big Injury from the Twins that I felt was needed. In the immortal words of Jim Mora, it didn’t do “diddley poo”.
I hope to hell I’m wrong, but this season already feels very, very bad.
"I am fat because I am lazy and drink too much." - South Side Expat
For reference - and a nice pick-me-up:
"I am fat because I am lazy and drink too much." - South Side Expat
That's the "useless game" interview
in case you don’t trust me :)
by Shoeless In SC on Apr 29, 2010 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions
I think Jim Mora's my favorite coach ever.
"I am fat because I am lazy and drink too much." - South Side Expat
That pretty much nails it.
I said a few weeks ago that the Twinks were uncatchable if Liriano was Liriano again. It appears as though he is. I still think they’ll miss Nathan to some extent, but it’s not nearly enough.
Rauch will not last
He will regress, his skills don’t really support his current numbers. Plus Morneau already is having back issues. Maybe Mauer will get hurt again.
It’s great when you have to depend on injuries to other teams, instead of relying on your own team’s skills to win.
"But a true champion, face to face with his darkest hour, will do whatever it takes to rise above. A man fights, and fights, and then fights some more. Because surrender is death, and death is for pussies."
That's what I'm getting at. Sure, if the Twins' team plane crashes, we could wing dis ting, but even if Rauch becomes Rauch again, the Twins are still waaay better.
"I am fat because I am lazy and drink too much." - South Side Expat
the unfortunate part of this logic
is that we should expect our bullpen to regress as well. So that will offset any offensive turnaround we might see. Instead of losing 3-1 or 4-2, we’ll be losing 6-4 or 7-5. I don’t think I’ve ever been so negative about a Sox team. This sucks.
"But a true champion, face to face with his darkest hour, will do whatever it takes to rise above. A man fights, and fights, and then fights some more. Because surrender is death, and death is for pussies."
So...
He saves 85% of his chances and it still doesn’t matter..
Twitter: @SouthSideCheat
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I say we start saving up wins for next year
signature
by billyok on Apr 29, 2010 9:52 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I didn't vote.
“The death of (the White Sox fan) is not likely to be an assassination from ambush. It will be a slow extinction from apathy, indifference and undernourishment.”
up to this point
it seems more like a jihad suicide bomber
Look I just want to pass my last Microsoft exam and sleep with white women.
by Tdogg on Mar 10, 2010 11:29 PM CST
by Grinder Rule #42 on Apr 29, 2010 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions
The Eternal Optimist in me
says Yes. But so far this year is almost as brutal as 2007 to watch. On the plus side, though, both games I’ve been to at the Cell have been winners!
She will at least be a part of the magical BHB crowd in 3 weeks.
You must be 'this' tall to ride the diastema.
by homesickalien on Apr 29, 2010 10:50 AM CDT up reply actions
Talk to me when Beckham and Quentin start hitting.
And when AJ floats back to average. More Jones, less Pierre and Kotsay.
Any reason why T-Flo can’t provide some power from the left hand side?
I think they can get within three. Two…or one…is a different question.
Ah...
when did Flowers start switch-hitting?
Quentin is coming around
Hawk says he’s close
by Shoeless In SC on Apr 29, 2010 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions
Hawk's a retard.
I love him like a grandfather, but seriously… retard.
"I am fat because I am lazy and drink too much." - South Side Expat
Actually...
I’ve lived in SC my whole life, and I can count on one hand the number of men I’ve heard talk like Hawk. And I mean actually sound like him. They’re all old dudes too. Grew up in the 50’s and such. I’ve never heard anyone down here use even half of his vocabulary. He truly is one of a kind.
by Shoeless In SC on Apr 29, 2010 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions
He's very much a senile grandfather figure.
The one who randomly starts sentences at Thanksgiving dinner and then trails off. “CATFISH HUNTER….. his, I was, and then he…. sshhppsshp”
by pooriejay on Apr 29, 2010 10:58 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
He used center, right-center and right field yesterday
Certainly a good sign. Better than chopping everything to third base and short. Hawk’s not wrong to see a turnaround brewing.
EVERYBODY PICK US FOR 3RD OR 4TH SO I DINK WE DOIN POOTY GOO
Sox Machine
by Sox Machine on Apr 29, 2010 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions
He took that low and away pitch and sent it to the opposite field bleachers
by Shoeless In SC on Apr 29, 2010 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions
are you nuts?
it was a hanging changeup middle of the plate, belt high. still, he did was a major leaguer should do with such a pitch
Watching this team is like jerking off 10 minutes after you just jerked off - billyok
Looking back,
according to pitch f/x it was a hanging slider, high and middle of the plate.
Maybe I was thinking of the double? I can’t find data on that pitch. It appears to have never existed under the logs.
by Shoeless In SC on Apr 29, 2010 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions
Wow. 28 in favor, 53 against
I’m usually pretty optimistic this early in the season. I voted Yes. I mean it’s not such an outlandish thought to think the Sox will make it within 3 games. All it takes is a little win streak and a loss streak by the Twins
by Shoeless In SC on Apr 29, 2010 10:05 AM CDT reply actions
no doubt
thats exactly what im thinking. they will have a couple blazing streaks, and i think theyll definitely get within 3, but to surpass that, we’ll all have to hope for injury to the twinks.
Look I just want to pass my last Microsoft exam and sleep with white women.
by Tdogg on Mar 10, 2010 11:29 PM CST
by Grinder Rule #42 on Apr 29, 2010 1:09 PM CDT up reply actions
Potentially
Of course potentially every team can compete. LOL
I don’t understand why they sit Beckham? Why don’t they move him back in the line-up like they did with Quentin? He needs at bats not rest.
"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it." - Mark Twain
That's not a terrible lineup.
Considering the other options. I mean if Pierre is going to play he’d better be DHing.
by Shoeless In SC on Apr 29, 2010 10:10 AM CDT up reply actions
So long as we live in a universe where only Pierre can lead off, I will accept this line-up.
"I am fat because I am lazy and drink too much." - South Side Expat
Better to go ahead and get his out outta the way
Leaves the bases unclogged for the other hitters
by Shoeless In SC on Apr 29, 2010 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions
Since it's law that Pierre bats lead off
This is probably as good as it gets for us. If this lineup can’t get us to within 3 games of the Twins, we don’t have one that can.
"A common mistake made by baseball fans is to call a pitcher unhittable when that pitcher is not Matt Thornton." - Hardball Times
by Grinder in Training on Apr 29, 2010 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions
My point exactly
This is probably as good as it gets with our current lineup construction. I mean we could split hairs and move Pierre to ninth, but he’s still practically an out 75% of the time no matter where you put him.
by Shoeless In SC on Apr 29, 2010 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions
More Pierre 'fun'
his current updated ZiPS wOBA sits at an even .300. Another 1-for-4 day at the plate may very pull his wOBA south of .300.
Sigh…
I would have bet a lot that Pierre sat tonight.
larry. A kind word for everyone.
Maybe if the players I actually expected to do well weren't looking so awful I'd feel better.
"Boozer's dumb ass jumped. So I dunked on his ass."-Joakim Noah
i had to vote yes
its way too early to jump ship
"A brief but trenchant analysis of Scott Podsednik
He’s dogshit."
by NYRoyal on Jan 8, 2010 8:56 AM PST
by U-God on Apr 29, 2010 10:23 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I got it.
slow start and drama = ratings for that ‘behind the scenes’ show on MLBTV. After its done filming I’m sure they’ll start winning.
nuts.
by BuehrleMan on Apr 9, 2010 10:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
*facepalm*
by HappyHuman on Apr 9, 2010 10:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
that version of hamlet last night?
kick-ass
"A brief but trenchant analysis of Scott Podsednik
He’s dogshit."
by NYRoyal on Jan 8, 2010 8:56 AM PST
sox might right the ship
but the twins look to be more like a 95 win team.
Jobu's dog needs rum
ESPY_TEAHEN Tradition in the Teahen home that when things arent going the teams way we burn a related item to get things going. A sacrifice if u will.
I would rather they set fire to Juan Pierre's socks.
While he’s wearing them.
"I am fat because I am lazy and drink too much." - South Side Expat
cover your heart, indy!
nuts.
by BuehrleMan on Apr 9, 2010 10:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
*facepalm*
by HappyHuman on Apr 9, 2010 10:25 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
by thecip on Apr 29, 2010 11:33 AM CDT up reply actions 5 recs
that fire pit looks worn in from years of burning all the face cards in countless decks.
These events have me frightened and on the verge of evacuating my bowels.
by thatshortkid on Apr 29, 2010 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions
He played on the Royals..
so how much stuff has he burned in the last few years?
Like pizza? Me too.
Check out my pizza review site.
at least 12 decks of cards worth of face cards
"A brief but trenchant analysis of Scott Podsednik
He’s dogshit."
by NYRoyal on Jan 8, 2010 8:56 AM PST
god damn it, i really should learn to scroll down
These events have me frightened and on the verge of evacuating my bowels.
by thatshortkid on Apr 29, 2010 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions
you should have gone with history text books
"A brief but trenchant analysis of Scott Podsednik
He’s dogshit."
by NYRoyal on Jan 8, 2010 8:56 AM PST
That's it. Someone needs to start a Fanpost and include a F"x" definition list
Where X is the thing being… Fucked.
by Shoeless In SC on Apr 29, 2010 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions
(fuck them in the ass) :)
You must be 'this' tall to ride the diastema.
by homesickalien on Apr 29, 2010 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Did you matriculate at the KenWo Finishing School?
"April showers bring May flowers and May flowers bring mathematical elimination day to Kansas City".--- Joe Pos
I think KenWo regularly matriculates at school.
Oh, wait…
"I am fat because I am lazy and drink too much." - South Side Expat
You are the older daughter I could've had in 1984. And might've.
Thank you.
I am more prone to be inquisitive to promote discussion.
fantastic video from the main site
http://www.sbnation.com/2010/4/29/1450104/chicago-blackhawks-chelsea-dagger-vancouver-canucks-goal
"A brief but trenchant analysis of Scott Podsednik
He’s dogshit."
by NYRoyal on Jan 8, 2010 8:56 AM PST
would have loved to see luongo hear it
bird law in this country is not ruled by reason
by soxshenanigans on Apr 29, 2010 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions
that was pretty cool
Watching this team is like jerking off 10 minutes after you just jerked off - billyok
Great little clip.
Let’s Go Hawks!!!!!!!!!
larry. A kind word for everyone.
can the poll have another option?
Something like, “I shut off that part of me that allows me to feel stuff.”
His name is Rios and he dances on the sand
"I refuse to participate on the grounds that by doing so, I serve only to perpetuate the illegitimate power structure which invites such participation."
Property is theft.
by The Actual El Guapo on Apr 29, 2010 11:03 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
One through nine, no maybes, no supposes, no fractions. You can’t travel in space, you can’t go out into space, you know, without, like, you know, uh, with fractions, okay? What are you going to land on – one-quarter, three-eighths? What are you going to do when you go from here to Venus or something? That’s dialectic physics.
Cashing checks and having sex.
one quarter and three eights
i wish
Look I just want to pass my last Microsoft exam and sleep with white women.
by Tdogg on Mar 10, 2010 11:29 PM CST
by Grinder Rule #42 on Apr 29, 2010 2:13 PM CDT up reply actions
I said no.
Before the season started, I predicted the Twins to win 90 games and the Sox to win 83. I’ll stick with that.
Nope.
The Sox are going to let Juan Pierre continue to fial at least through mid-May when it will probably be too late to recover. Hell, they are likely to be 8-17 by Sunday.
"We have to say the American public overwhelmingly voted for socialism when they elected President Obama." - Rev. Al Sharpton
On a much happier note...
Happy 76th birthday, Baseball HOFer, Luis Aparicio!
Lifetime stats (18 seasons with Sox, Orioles and the other Sox):
BA – .262
Hits – 2,677
HR – 83
SB – 506
RBI – 791
Honors:
1956 ROY
10-time All Star
9-time Golden Glover
World Series Champ w/Orioles – 1966
HOF induction and #11 retired – 1984
"We have to say the American public overwhelmingly voted for socialism when they elected President Obama." - Rev. Al Sharpton
Aparicio and Fox.
What and unbelievable DP combo.
Lots of great memories.
larry. A kind word for everyone.
Your uni number has been co-opted by a guy almost as old as you.
Happy fucking birthday, Looie.
I am more prone to be inquisitive to promote discussion.
It was with Luis' permission.
Not that that makes it better.
Like drinking poison, like eating glass.
by Teahenny Penny on Apr 29, 2010 9:37 PM CDT up reply actions
I hear Chavez is good at giving "choices", too.
Like Don Corleone.
I am more prone to be inquisitive to promote discussion.
i wish the rangers' PBP announcer was ours
hes incredible
Watching this team is like jerking off 10 minutes after you just jerked off - billyok
i wish the XXXXX' (radio / TV) PBP announcer was ours hes incredible
How do they get guys like that in smaller markets than Chicago?
Promote Harrelson and Farmer upstairs.
larry. A kind word for everyone.
no, this team looks look a complete disaster. I'd be surprised if they win 85 games, let alone the 90+ it will take to make the playoffs
offense is even worse than expected and pitching is good but not good enough to win 4 out of 7 games.
voted No
because while I could see the starting pitching improving and the bullpen staying effective, the offense (even with expected improvement with Q, Bacon, Che) will continue to suck too much to climb out of the hole we’re already in.
But this is all guesswork, and Twins probably won’t continue at their current level.
Best game I ever attended was the 163rd game of 2008.
by NorthSidePaulie on Apr 29, 2010 12:42 PM CDT reply actions
Is this the game thread?
"April showers bring May flowers and May flowers bring mathematical elimination day to Kansas City".--- Joe Pos
I voted yes.
I suppose the question implies “team in current form.” Should be lots of upside with BABIP, although the way Pierre hits the ball, I can see him staying at .224. Pitching will be somewhat, to much better, although some real questions have opened up there (Peavy, Floyd, Garcia’s replacement).
Also, Williams will not stand pat with this team having assembled these 4 starters. He’ll get a bat somewhere out there amongst the highways and hedges.
larry. A kind word for everyone.
No Q today.
scott merkin just tweeted that quentin’s a late scratch and kotsay’s replacing him in the lineup.
not good.
No, no I don't think this is correct. I think you mean Mauer and Morneau are both hurt.
"I am fat because I am lazy and drink too much." - South Side Expat
One major problem with my saying yes,
is that the Sox have very seldom performed well post Alll Star break with Guillen managing.
larry. A kind word for everyone.
I just want May to be better than this.
"April showers bring May flowers and May flowers bring mathematical elimination day to Kansas City".--- Joe Pos
you kno whteres 2 and a half months prior to said all star break?
Watching this team is like jerking off 10 minutes after you just jerked off - billyok
Do you know we're 6 games back and 4 games under .500?
larry. A kind word for everyone.
5 games under .500.
larry. A kind word for everyone.
HSA: You reading these MLB.com headlines at the bottom?
They make no sense… “Connection between Coughlans deep, strong” … what?
ha!
You must be 'this' tall to ride the diastema.
by homesickalien on Apr 29, 2010 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions
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